Some people come for entertainment: LG on Rahul’s remarks
No Joshimath-like situation at Thathri
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 4: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today that attacks on Kashmiri Pandits were not only attacks on individuals but on integrity of India and charged “handful of people” for targeting innocent civilians at the behest of the neighbouring country, a reference towards Pakistan.
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He was speaking after inaugurating ‘Special Governance Camp for Kashmiri Migrants’ at Jagti Colony, near here.
“The administration is sensitive to the issues of Kashmiri migrant families and PM Package employees,” Sinha said.
Asserting that few incidents had occurred (a reference towards targeted killings of Kashmiri Pandits), the Lieutenant Governor said: “these attacks were not only on individuals but also on the integrity of India. There are a handful of people, who at the behest of the neighbouring country are targeting innocent civilians”.
However, he said under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the J&K Government is working with full sensitivity and commitment to address all the issues of Kashmiri migrants.
In another function, Sinha said there were some areas in Srinagar which were not visited even by security forces but now because of return of peace and normalcy, sports tournaments are being organized there.
“Some youth had taken wrong path and were misled. However, many of them have now joined mainstream through sports tournaments,” he said, adding he has also visited these areas to inaugurate sports functions.
At the Jagti function, Lt Governor also observed that many PM Package Employees have resumed their duties and the direction has been issued to release their pending salaries without delay.
He strongly refuted the quote by the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and asserted that he has made no such statement and it has been attributed to him with malicious intent.
“It is completely fabricated and full of lies. I have never used such words for anyone in my entire life. It is my firm belief that anyone who needs help should always be given priority. My doors are open 24 hours for those who have any problem. We are creating an environment to address your issues, efforts are being made for welfare of your children and families to ensure that entire community can contribute in the progress of J&K like it did in the past,” Sinha said.
He said a directive has been issued to organize such special governance camps for PoJK brothers and sisters to ensure saturation of social security schemes, self-employment and skilling.
He also highlighted that almost all the posts under PM Package have been filled and the UT Government has made all the arrangements for construction of 6000 dwellings.
“Except two, the construction is underway on all the sites. I am personally monitoring the progress. By this April, 1200 houses and till December 2700 houses will be ready. All the pending promotions were completed recently. The process of promotion from non-Gazetted to Gazetted is going on and I hope that it will be completed by the end of this month,” the Lt Governor said.
He also said that 80% to 85% PM Package employees are posted at district headquarters. “Some are posted at tehsil headquarters after the security audit of the areas. We have ensured that no one is posted at any office or school situated in remote isolated area,” he added.
“We are committed to fulfil the expectation of people. Earlier, the laws were formulated to retrieve the properties of Kashmiri Pandit brothers but it was not implemented. We have taken immediate action and out of 8000 applications received on Migrant Portal, around 6000 cases have been resolved. The administration and the security forces are working with dedication to ensure your safety,” the Lt Governor said.
Earlier in the day, speaking to a group of reporters, Sinha referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the “insensitive” approach of his administration towards the “plight” of Kashmiri Pandit employees, said that he is saying it with full responsibility that he “cannot use the word” beggar for anyone.
“I do not need to comment on this. Some people come for entertainment, enjoy and return… Had I said this, it would have been on record. I am saying with full responsibility that I cannot use such a word for anyone,” he said.
Sinha said the Jammu and Kashmir administration was keeping a close watch on two dozen structures in Doda developing cracks but denied the situation was akin to the land subsidence witnessed in Joshimath.
The best possible assistance will be extended to the affected families of Nai Basti in the Thathri area, situated around 35 km from the Doda town along the Kishtwar-Batote National Highway.
While three houses collapsed after developing cracks, 18 other structures were rendered unsafe, prompting the district administration to shift over 100 people to safer places.
“All the affected houses have been evacuated and there is no need to create much hype. The administration is keeping a close eye on the (emerging) situation and the best possible action will be taken (for their rehabilitation),” Sinha said.
Asked if it was a Joshimath-like situation in the affected village, the Lt Governor replied “absolutely not”.
Uttarakhand’s Joshimath – the gateway to famous pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib – is facing a major challenge due to land subsidence.
“I do not have much knowledge (about the reasons for the development of cracks in structures in Doda village). We should have faith in the expert opinion and let them analyse and come out with facts,” Sinha said.
Meanwhile, Nazim Zai Khan, Secretary, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; KK Sidha, Commissioner, Relief & Rehabilitation and other senior officers were also present at the Kashmiri migrants’ function addressed by the Lieutenant Governor.
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