STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) has demanded early holding of elections to Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, so that popular rule is restored in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It was stated by Gulchain Singh Charak, former Minister and President DSS, in a press statement issued here on Tuesday, after chairing a meeting of DSS core group at Dogra Hall, Jammu. He said that many specific and core issues regarding common people are not being addressed because of current bureaucratic mechanism and attitude adopted by the UT Administration, causing untold difficulties and inconveniences to common man. Charak further said that it was also resolved to demand a fair share of seats for Jammu in ongoing delimitation of constituencies based on factors like terrain, communication and other facilities in different areas, besides population, so that restoration of popular rule in Jammu and Kashmir has balanced connotations for people in both regions of UT. Assurance to restore Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir by Prime Minister and Home Minister should also be fulfilled at the earliest, he added.
Welcoming the decision taken by UT Administration to do away with the outdated practice of Darbar Move and allowing functioning of Civil Secretariat both at Jammu and Srinagar, Charak disclosed that members further decided to request the UT Administration that vacant positions in Jammu Secretariat be filled up at the earliest. It was also emphasized that security barricades, in front of Secretariat need to be shifted a few meters inwards toward the building to allow free flow of traffic on road-stretch between Indira Chowk to Raj Bhawan, which may also be widened into a proper four-lane road.
The DSS members further decided to request Lieutenant Governor to direct the concerned authorities for reconsidering decision to convert part of the magnificent Mubarak Mandi Complex into a heritage hotel, and to expedite the implementation of the proposals contained in the conservation plan for Mubarak Mandi, depicting glorious Dogra history and culture. Charak further said that it was also unanimously agreed to demand that residential facilities at J&K House properties at New Delhi, Chandigarh and other locations need to be worked out in consultation with representatives of people. The DSS members who attended the meeting included Karan Singh, Prem Sagar Gupta, Gambhir Dev Singh Charak, Dinesh Singh Chauhan, Kulbir Singh, Chajju Singh Jamwal, Narinder Singh Jamwal, Om Parkash Sangra, Raj Kr Sagotra, Ashok Charak, Sawarn Singh and Vidya Sagar Sharma.