Jammu- Facing criticism for his handling of the issue of Kashmiri Pandit employees, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said their safety is his administration’s topmost priority.
The LG is under fire over protests by Kashmiri Pandits who were employed under a prime minister’s package, and are seeking relocation from Kashmir in the wake of targeted killings.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that Kashmir Pandits are facing injustice at the hands of the government and asked the LG to apologise to the community for telling the PM’s package employees that they should not seek “alms”.
Gandhi made the statement shortly after a KP delegation called on him during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Samba district.
Addressing a republic day function here on Thursday, he said “The administration is trying to solve the problems of Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters with utmost sensitivity. Their safety is our topmost priority.”
He said all PM package and minority employees working in the Kashmir valley have been deployed at safe places. “A nodal officer has been appointed in the Raj Bhavan and in every district to resolve issues related to their security and other problems.”
The LG also said the longstanding issue of availability of land for them has been resolved and the construction of 3,000 accommodations for KPs will be completed this year.
On January 20th, the foundation stone for another residential colony was laid in Zevan, Srinagar, which will resolve the problem of accommodation for employees posted in Srinagar, he added.
“All pending promotions of employees appointed under the PM package have been cleared and the issue of promotions from non-gazetted to gazetted category has been forwarded to the Public Service Commission,” he added.
The Kashmir Migrant Portal, launched in September last year for registering grievances related to illegal encroached on properties during the 1990s, has got 8,408 applications and action has been taken on 6336 of them, resulting in the removal of encroachment from 2608 kanals of land, he said.
The LG said 2022 was a year of achievements for Jammu and Kashmir.
“However, we have higher aspirations and bigger goals for the future. We have to capitalise on the present opportunity and take a pledge to build a competitive Jammu and Kashmir which will be prosperous, safe and peaceful where daughters are given equal rights and opportunities for development; and where the rural and urban divide is diminished,” he added.
G-20 meet in J&K is ‘message to enemies of humanity’: LG
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday said the upcoming G-20 meeting in Jammu and Kashmir is a “message to the enemies of humanity” and urged people of the Union territory to come forward and make it an “inclusive” event.
“The G-20 meeting being held in Jammu and Kashmir in May this year is a message to the enemies of humanity who were attacking the interests of our citizens through cowardly acts of terrorism for decades,” Sinha said while addressing a Republic Day function here.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, is the “life blood” of the country.
Sinha said it is the guiding lamp of the civilization and “eternal sound of our social consciousness”.
“Jammu and Kashmir today stands tall with self-confidence, encompassing the great heritage and cultural values of the world’s largest republic. Today, J&K is marching forward on the path to progress,” he said.
“I urge every section of the society to come forward and make the G-20 an inclusive event,” the LG said.
He said that Jammu and Kashmir is not just a geographical entity but a vibrant and radiant ecosystem, where different faiths are the guiding force of inclusive culture.
“Jammu and Kashmir is a rhythmic dialogue of social, cultural values, plurality and tolerance. It is the aura of self-confident India. Harmukh, Amarnath, Pir Panjal and Trikuta Hills are the highest peaks of our spiritual heritage.
“The waves of Jhelum, Chenab and Tawi rivers reflect the essence of our intellectual and spiritual experiences. Since times immemorial the spiritual energy and blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi, Sudh Mahadev, Budha Amarnath have guided our society,” he said.
Sinha said that for decades, the development and aspirations of common people were held hostage by “exploitative and anti-developmental” land laws.
“Over the last two years, land owners have been empowered through a series of land reforms. Legal action is being taken against influential people who had illegally encroached upon the government land,” he said.
The LG said the people are at the centre of governance. “We have ensured that the interests of common citizens are protected and that they are not impacted by the campaign to remove illegal encroachments. We have been successful to a great extent in curbing corruption by issuing land passbooks in three languages.”
He said that so far, 28 lakh such passbooks have been distributed, and revenue records are being demystified for eliminating the possibility of manipulation.
Similarly, the new land-use laws have ensured that people get a reasonable and fair price for their land and the interest of farmers are protected, he said.
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