Akshay Azad
Jammu, Jan 1: The Jammu and Kashmir government has undermined the authority of President of India and has not constructed a road to native village of 102-year-old freedom fighter, Munshi Ram of village Rayour of district Samba as promised by former president Pratiba Devi Singh Patil in year 2009.
Munshi Ram had joined British Army in the year 1941 and later joined Azad Hind Fouj. He handed over an application to President of India on August 9, 2009, when he was invited at Freedom Fighter's Reception in Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi.
Pertinently, the President of India had asked all the invited freedom fighters, about any of their demands and Munshi Ram had requested for road connectivity from village Jatah to village Liyan via Rayour (native village of Munshi Ram) in district Samba. Accordingly the President's Secretariat, had forwarded a letter with serial number P2-B/7471, dated 17/11/2009, to the then Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir government, for taking appropriate action on the application of Munshi Ram, but so far no action has been taken and native village Rayor of Munshi Ram still sans road connectivity.
Out of three sons of Munshi Ram, two namely retired honorary Captain Ravi Singh and Master Sukhdev Singh have constructed their houses in Nad area, but elder son Thoru Ram, also retired honorary Captain, is still putting in the village Rayour.
Showing the letter forwarded by President's Secretariat to Chief Secretary of state, Munshi Ram said, "It takes around one hour to reach my village by foot.
When I had met President of India on August, 9, 2009, I had requested him for construction of the road to my village, but God knows, what is the problem with our government, which is not adhering to direction of our president?".
He further rued that when he had requested the President in year 2009, they had assured for redrassal of grievance, but of no avail.
"Once again, I had taken up the matter with President Pranab Mukherjee, on August 9, 2013 regarding the same matter, and he had also assured for taking the action, but once again the assurance lost in oblivion", he said.
Grandson of Munshi Ram, Yashpal Singh, who is also retired from Indian Army, said that on July, 9, 2013, a deputation of their village, had also met Member Parliament (MP) Madan Lal Sharma and he had written an official letter to Chief Engineer Prime Minister Grammen Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) Jammu to do the needful, but all in vain.
He further said that if the road would be constructed, same would benefit not only their family, but around 10,000 souls residing in surrounding areas and would also fulfill the dream/desire of 102 years old freedom fighter before quitting his life.
If such is the treatment being meted out by the letter forwarded by President's secretariat, then one can easily understand the plight of a common man in Jammu and Kashmir.
Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) didn't pick up the phone for comments. |
