Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Dec 26: Lambasting the separatists for raising hue and cry over issuance of identity cards to the West Pakistan refugees, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today categorically stated that these refugees are Indians and not Burmees and Bangladeshis, who are clandestinely residing in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the country.
Interacting with media-persons, Dr Singh said, “the confusion being created by some political parties and separatists on the West Pakistan refugees is uncalled for”. “The separatists and Hurriyat Conference leaders have the tendency of communalizing and polarizing the issues but it is unfortunate that even mainstream political parties are also trying to mislead the people”, he added.
“These refugees are residing in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 67 years but as per the law of the State they cannot purchase the land, propriety and cannot even apply for the Government jobs”, Deputy Chief Minister said, adding “in order to facilitate these refugees to apply for the Central Government jobs without any difficult the Government has decided to issue them identity cards”.
“These refugees are Indians and not Burmese, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, who are residing in this State as well as country clandestinely”, he further said, adding “it is unfortunate that separatists, National Conference and other mainstream political parties never spoke against such persons but raising unnecessary controversy over issuance of identity cards to the West Pakistan refugees”.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister said the Government has embarked on a comprehensive plan to ensure that the people get quality civic amenities at par with the other developed States. He was addressing officers during a review meeting of the Municipal Committees of district Kathua.
Legislators, Rajeev Jasrotia and Kuldeep Raj, Commissioner /Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Hirdesh Kumar, DC Kathua, Ramesh Kumar, Director ULB, Jammu, Soujanya Sharma besides other officers were present on the occasion.
The Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to ensure that the people of the area get quality services vis-à-vis civic amenities and they should not face any inconvenience. He said the officers should work in synergized manner to ensure that the bottlenecks if any, are removed and effective deliverance is ensured
He impressed upon the officers to make judicious use of funds for the implementation of various schemes launched by the Government so that the benefits of such schemes percolate down to the needy. Dr Singh directed the concerned that comprehensive plan should be devised keeping in mind all the aspects and with active participation of all the stakeholders to make the municipal bodies more vibrant and result-oriented so that they become self reliant.
He also added that Lakhanpur needs focused attention as it is gateway to Jammu and Kashmir and emphasis should be laid on maintaining cleanliness and hygiene in and around Lakhanpur besides beautification and providing better amenities to the tourists/passengers.
While reviewing the functioning of Municipal Committees of Kathua, Lakhanpur, Basholi, Parole, Hiranagar and Billawar the Deputy Chief Minister discussed various issues pertaining to establishment of solid waste management plant, construction of sanitary complexes, creation of parking lots, extension of town halls, creation of revenue generating assets, identification of land for expansion of bus stands, installation of Street lights, dust bins and identification of garbage collection points.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister laid foundation stone of Inter State Bus Terminal, Kathua which will help the commuters and will be completed with a cost of Rs 17 crore.
The Deputy Chief Minister also inspected the old buildings of Government offices near Mukherjee Chowk, Kathua and directed the concerned that these buildings should be shifted to other locations temporarily and in place of these Government offices new structure should be designed.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
