STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A delegation of senior Congress leaders from J&K comprising of Tara Chand, former Dy CM, Rajinder Singh Chib, Jugal Kishore Sharma, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, all former Ministers and Subash Gupta, former MLC, met the PSC on the Home Affairs and raised the issues for their consideration. They sought immediate restoration of statehood with constitutional guarantee for land and jobs for permanent residents of J&K and thereafter holding of Assembly elections at the earliest. They also demanded implementation of the full relief and rehabilitation package, for the displaced persons (refugees) of 1947, 1965 and 1971 of PO JK. They have been paid Rs. 5.5 Lakh per family, whereas and amount of Rs. 25 to 30 Lakh per family was recommended by the State Government and endorsed by the PSC on Home affairs.
“The local population, because of introduction of new policies in different sectors by the UT Govt. like Excise, Mining and Works have suffered a lot due to allotment of contracts to the outsiders by the UT Govt,” they said and added there is a need for grant of special incentives, for the different sectors, of Industry, which includes hotel, transport and the religious tourism with special reference to Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine and Amarnath Yatra. They said that there is an urgent need to restore the security deployment for opposition political leaders especially Ex Ministers and Ex Legislatures, which was reduced at the time of abrogation of Article 370. The UT Government may be advised accordingly, they added.
The long pending demand of Pujaris (Baridars) of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine which has already been assured by the PM, during an election Rally during 2014 Assembly Elections, needs to be settled, they said adding that there is a need for special package for the unemployed youth and regularisation of need based and daily wagers.
The Border residents residing along IB and LOC have suffered a lot for many decades, due to unprovoked firing by Pakistan, they said and asked government that they may be considered for allotment of small residential plots at safer locations.