Pandits demand representation in state Cabinet

JAMMU: A delegation of J&K National Conference Minority Cell called on Dr. Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal Additional General Secretary National Conference and presented a memorandum to register their protest for non-inclusion of Kashmiri Pandit in the cabinet following recent reshuffle.

The delegation headed by M. K. Yogi, Working President also included Som Nath Dhar I/C North Kashmir, A. K. Raina I/C South Kashmir, Jiganji Goja I/C Anantnag, P. L. Talashi Pahalgam, Mohan Lal Pandita Convenor Central Body, Shiban Ji Raina Kokernag & Mohan Lal Koul Verinag. They told him that right from 1947 Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and then Dr. Farooq Abdullah gave representation to at least one member of this community in the council of ministers.

Dr. Kamaal said that he respects the sentiments of the community in this behalf for non-inclusion of Kashmiri Pandit in the cabinet, but it was not possible to do so because of the fractured mandate of the people in the 2008 assembly elections and the limitations of the size of the council of ministers as enacted by the Apex Court of the country & subsequently cleared by the Parliament and the State Legislature. He nevertheless assured them that the memorandum will be sent to the President of the Party with a copy to the Working President (Honble Chief Minister) for consideration and finding a via media to accommodate one representative of this community in the government in a position of responsibility which will become a bridge between this community and the administration and government so that their day-to-day problems are redressed effectively and quickly.

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