Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Aug 2: The State Government is likely to amend Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Permanent Resident Certificate (Procedure) Act 1963, by virtue of which particular offices will be notified for granting Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) instead of officers.
Sources informed Early Times the Revenue department has moved a file pertaining to proposed amendments in JK Grant of PRC (Procedure) Act 1963 to Law department for vetting. "The Law department has almost completed the process and is likely to return the file shortly", sources said, adding that after returning of file to Revenue department, same would be tabled in Cabinet for approval.
After Cabinet approval, sources said, the same would be tabled in House for final approval in amendments. "The amendments in JK Grant of PRC Act 1963 will designate posts instead of particular officers for granting PRC", sources said.
They further said that according to Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Permanent Resident Certificate Act 1963, it was the Government which has been designating officers to the level of Sub District Magistrate (SDM), Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) for issuance of PRC's to residents.
"Presently, whenever a new officer assumes charge of SDM or ACR, the Deputy Commissioner has to send name of officer to Law department, after Revenue Minister's approval for vetting. After getting Law department's clearance a notification by name of officer is issued and the officer is given power for issuance of PRC", sources said.
The notification by name, sources said, was a very time consuming process and has been creating lot of problem for masses as people who had applied for PRC, have to wait for months for getting PRC's. "At many occasions, the officers get transferred within months and it takes one or two months for notification of officer for granting PRC's", sources said, adding that every time whenever new officer has been assuming charge, same process has been repeated.
They further said that as per amendment proposed by Revenue department the post would be notified instead of particular officer for issuance of PRC's. "Moreover the IAS officers who are not natives of Jammu and Kashmir will not be given power to grant PRC. In that case the Divisional Commissioner will give powers next to officer for granting PRC's", sources said. |
