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| Inter district Recruitment row to continue even after passage of Bill | | Jammu to observe bandh tomorrow | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 7: Even as the two main ruling allies in the coalition government National Conference and Congress have arrived at some understanding if not a complete consensus on the controversial Inter District Recruitment Bill which apparently will pave way for its passage on April 9 in the Assembly, the political cry and crisis is far from being over on the issue. The opposition BJP and PDP, for varied stands will oppose the amendment bill which is likely to turn into a major issue both in Kashmir as well as Jammu even after its passage in both the Houses.
The simmering discontent in Kashmir over the provisions of the Bill brought last year for reasons apparent has been flared up during the Budget session not only by the PDP but by other Kashmir based MLAs and even some members of ruling NC. The issue, needless to mention dominated the proceedings of the Assembly as almost every second day concerns were expressed by Kashmir based MLAs including those from NC, forcing the government to bring and table the Bill in the current session. While high drama prevailed over the Bill on April 5 at the time of tabling, which was followed by scathing attack by PDP against NC, the government instead of hurrying passage on the same day, quite obviously on account of the concerns and reservations of Congress convened a meeting of coordination committee members on April 6. The meeting seems to have addressed the concerns of some senior Congress leaders and satisfied their apprehensions of annoying SC voters.
In order to avoid any embarrassment in the House, the two allies have somewhat managed to arrive at some level of 'understanding' over the issue but the two allies are bound to face stiff political opposition by their arch rivals in respective regions. The House will again witness furore from the opposition, but real test for the government lies in facing these parties after the passage of the Bill. Reliable sources in NC said even as NC has managed to arrive at consensus with Congress, there are many Kashmir based MLAs within NC who do not wish the Bill to be passed with these amendments, which are not believed to have incorporated the views of the Select Committee report in full spirit. However, they will have to abide by the party whip when it comes to voting, much against their will, sources added.
Sources also indicated that since PDP will not accept the Bill and its passage in the form government has incorporated the amendments, it will rake up the issue vehemently, while playing the Kashmir discrimination card again. Apart from PDP, there are other Kashmir based politicians who will trumpet the concerns on similar lines that Kashmiris are no longer major beneficiaries of the Bill as against Jammu people. This is bound to create problems for NC in Kashmir. Sources also indicate that given the nature of complesities, the issue might once again snowball into controversy and ultimately it could go once again to the Court where people will seek some solution acceptable to both the regions.
Now even as the co-ordination committee of the two major ruling partners decided to pass the bill in amended form keeping safeguards for Scheduled Castes (SCs), who will be kept out of the purview of ban on inter-district recruitments and continue to get 8 per cent reservation in the jobs in all 10 districts of Kashmir and other areas where there was no SC population, BJP has made it abundantly clear this was not acceptable to the party and the existing general arrangement .BJP has already called for Jammu bandh on April 9 in protest against the state government's move to ban Inter District Recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir. The party contends, the ban if implemented, will affect the constitutional rights of people belonging to different reserved categories of the society.
Apart from BJP several organizations have agreed to support the bandh call on April 9. They include Bar Association Jammu, All J&K Shri Guru Ravi Sabha, Panun Kashmir, Khashtriya Sabha, All J&K Mahasha Sadar Sabha, Arora Bans Sabha, Brahman Sabha, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, All J&K SC/ST United Front, Shiv Sena (United), Central University Andolan Samiti, Sanatan Dharam Natak Samaj, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha, Saraiara Sabha and Anusuchit Jaati Aarakshan Bachao Manch, as claimed by the BJP leadership.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has also warned the state government against tinkering with the contents of the bill. In her statement Mehbboba Mufti said that after the present coalition introduced the Bill in 2009 PDP had committed itself to support the legislation. Later, it was referred to a Select Committee which also recommended the passage of Bill in its original form giving a formal shape and structure to recruitment at State, Divisional and District levels.
She said instead of implementing the decision the state government has been dithering on the issue . It has been reported that the spirit of the law is sought to be compromised through a reservation clause for SCs. An amendment has been moved to that effect.
"Such a clause is unacceptable to the PDP for a variety of reasons. We reject it and caution the Govt about the disastrous fall out of any such compromise" Mehooba Mufti clarified today.
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