Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 28 : The state is losing around RS 5 lakh by way of salary/ perks to the former interlocutors who are preparing their feedback report. The report submitted by them last May was ridiculed by pro-Indian and separatist quarters alike.
Stunned by the reaction from the Valley, the interlocutors on May 28 said they were ready to rectify the report. "If people ask for amendments and corrections, we will recommend the same to the Home Ministry in our feedback report", Radha Kumar told a local newspaper.
Expressing her helplessness, Kumar added: "Mandate to incorporate the rectifications lies with Union Home Ministry."
Same day, the Chief Interlocutor, Dileep Padgaonkar once again expressed his desperation to meet the separatist groups. The separatists had boycotted the interlocutors. Though some second line leaders met them `unofficially', the seniors also remained aloof with Moulana Abbas Ansari being the only exception.
The Hurriyat (G) chairman has not even issued a statement on the report.
Now the Interlocutors are preparing the feedback report. This means they are still on job. To put it plainly, each one of them will continue to get a monthly salary of Rs 1.50 lakh and the executive assistants appointed by them shall get Rs 40,000 every month. In addition, the interlocutors shall be treated as state guests during their visits to the state.
The Interlocutors were appointed by the union government in October 2010 immediately after the agitation that claimed 120 lives ended.
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