Srinagar, Aug 21: In an important development, the administration of Jammu and Kashmir will hold an open hearing in Srinagar on Friday to hear the public's grievances. This will be the first time since revocation of Kashmir's special status that such a meeting with the public will be held.
The Directorate of Information, Jammu and Kashmir said in a release KK Sharma, advisor to J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik, will meet the public day after tomorrow, ahead of Friday prayers. The meeting will be held from 10 am to 12 pm at the Governor's Grievance Cell, located on Church Lane, Sonawar, Srinagar.
"Desirous individuals and deputations are requested to register themselves with the office of Governor's Grievance Cell, Church Lane, Sonawar, for redressal of their grievances," the release issued on Wednesday said.
It may be noted that Advisor Sharma is only junior to the Governor in the current set-up in the state, which is set to be bifurcated into two Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Kashmir watchers have welcomed the step that is aimed at reaching out to the public.
The announcement came as the Kashmir Valley gradually limps back to normalcy. While primary schools and government offices opened on Monday after remaining shut for two weeks, middle-level schools reopened today.
A number of restrictions imposed ahead of abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 too have been either partly or completely lifted from Jammu as well as Kashmir. In fact, thousands of landline phones have been restored in the Valley - all landlines, mobile and Internet connections were snapped ahead of the August 5 decisions on Kashmir. Meanwhile, similar outreach programmes are also being conducted in other parts of Kashmir apart from Srinagar.
Deputy Commissioner of Budgam, Tariq Hussain Ganai, today held a meeting with district officers to review the preparations for Muharram-ul-Harram beginning September 01. District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Shahbaz Ahmad Mirza too convened a similar meeting today. |
