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| Migrants aghast over Apex Committee decisions v | | `Quit or face consequences' | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 26: The migrant youths are aghast over the decisions taken by the Apex Committee for Kashmiri Migrants. The Committee was formed in September 2009 vide Government Order No. Rev/MR 116 OF 2009 Dated16-09-2009.
Although the government projected the constitution of the committee as a major achievement by the State Government, the youth have accused the members of taking decisions prejudicial to the interests of the migrants. The have urged the members to dissociate from the Committee or face the consequences.
The Committee's mandate was limited to ensure effective implementation of PM's package to the migrants for return of migrants to the Valley. The representatives of Panun Kashmir registered their protest by resigning from the committee on the very first day as they did not want to get associated with return of migrants.
Earlier also such committees were constituted from 2002-03 onwards seeking suggestions for welfare of migrants. The number of members in such committees never exceeded five. However, this time forty member committee has been constituted with the sole purpose of ensuring return of the migrants to Kashmir.
Further the reason for such resentment against the members is the delay in releasing of minutes of a meeting held at Srinagar before durbar move. The meeting held:
a) Stopping relief in favor of families whose member. Members have been appointed under package in valley.
b) Construction of remaining shops at Jagti under self financing scheme.
The community has questioned the wisdom of the Apex Committee for taking such a decision. According to them, the Committee had not consulted anybody before taking the decisions. The members have been accused of a sell out in lieu of Kashmiri wazwaan.
The protests of the youth turned violent on December 22 when in the office of the Relief Commissioner where around 15 members of the committee met to discuss the fall out of the anger of the youth. Pertinently the members expressed shock on seeing the minutes of the meeting and the agenda. They said the decisions in the minutes were never taken.
A member was manhandled by some youth in the office of Relief Commissioner in presence of all officials and some members as well.
The decisions have adeed to the woes of the migrants. In consequence of the decisions, the relief of elderly persons has been stopped. The families whose member has been appointed in the valley are also starving. They get no relief and the the appointed member is in the Valley. Some of the aggrieved have sought judicial intervention. In some cases, the court has restored the benefits.
The community is also aghast over the decision of construction of Jagti shops under self financing schemes. According to them, the former Revenue Minister Sh. Raman Bhalla during his visit to Jagti in 2011-12 had announced that Rs. 60 lakhs had been earmarked for construction of 130 shops for such persons who had applied but could not succeed in draw of lots. He also said that the land was also identified and process was initiated. How the decision now has been taken that the people will construct these shops under self financing scheme? How the members are part of this decision. Where has the commitment of Minister gone and what happened' to the funds earmarked for this purpose?
The youth are telling that they have no source and are dependent on monthly cash assistance then how they can construct the shops and also when already 60 shops have been provided free of cost then how can they discriminate with them.
The Apex members after meeting on 22-12-2012 met the Relief Commissioner also who expressed his ignorance about the minutes and decisions recorded. Can it be possible that Relief Commissioner is ignorant about such decisions when he himself had prepared the agenda for discussion in the meeting? Why is he playing with the sentiments of the migrants?
Since the day the Present Relief Commissioner has joined the Organization, he has remained involved in major controversies like allotment of quarters, employment package, stopping of relief, transfers of officials on pick and choose basis etc.
The Apex members are worried and angry with the Relief Organization and Government for playing with the sentiments of migrants and recording such decisions in the minutes which were neither within the jurisdiction of the Apex Committee nor were taken by the Committee.
The members of the Apex Committee are
1. Shri Raman Bhalla, Hon'ble Minister for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation, Chairman
2. Shri Nasir Aslam Wani, Hon'ble Minister of State for Revenue, Member
3. Shri Vijay Bakaya, Member Legislative Council, Member
4. Smt. Khem Lata Wakhloo, Member
5. Shri Ashok Bhan Advocate, Member
6. Shri Ashwani Chirangoo, Member
7. Dr. Agnishekhar, Member
8. Shri Ajay Chirangoo, Member
9. Shri A.N. Vaishnavi, Member
10. Shri. H.L. Chatta, Member
11. Prof. A.N. Sadhu, Member
12. Shri Moti Koul, Member
13. Shri Hridey Nath Jatu, Member
14. Shri Moti Lal Koul, Member
15. Shri Chuni Lal Bhat, Member
16. Shri Bhushan Lal Bhat Ex-MLC, Member
17. Shri Anil Dhar, Member
18. Shri Jatinder Bakshi, Member
19. Shri Krishan Kumar Khosa, Member
Official Members
1. Shri Sudhanshu Panday IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to Govt. Finance Department
2. Shri Basharat Ahmad Dhar, IAS Commissioner/Secretary to Govt. GAD
3. Shri Eijaz Iqbal, IAS, Convener Secretary to Govt. Revenue Department
4. Shri Vinok Koul, IAS Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner (Migrants) |
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