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| JK sleeps over recommendations of Central Committee | | As displaced Pundits suffer | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 16: The state government, it seems, has brushed under the carpet the recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs in its seventh report.
The high level committee comprising leader of he opposition Sushma Swaraj, Mamta Banerjee, Sahin Pilot ad others had urged the state government to take several measures to safeguard the interests of displaced persons. However, till date the state government seems in no mood to implement the recommendations of the committee. However, officials cite `valid reasons' for delay in implementing the recommendations.
The State government was directed to explore possibility of declaring all the properties, movable and immovable, sold by the displaced persons (Kashmiri Pandits) after
1989-90, as "Distress Sales". The State government was further directed to restore possession of properties back to the Kashmiri Pundits.
The government was further directed to impose a blanket ban on the acquisition of the properties of Kashmiri Pandits by the state government and also to ensure implementation of Jammu and Kashmir Migrant Immovable Property (Preservation, Protection and Restraint on Distressed Sales) Act, 1997 in letter and spirit.
Other recommendations made by the committee include rehabilitation of the displaced persons, repair of houses o he displaced persons by the government, budgetary support for 4000 Pundits who still live in the Valley, use of displaced persons instead of migrant pundits and a comprehensive rehabilitation policy by the union and the state government.
A senior government official preferring anonymity said the government was considering the recommendations of the committee and a decision shall be taken shortly. However, he admitted that some recommendations like declaring all sales nnull and void would trigger a severe backlash in the Valley. "This recommendation is very difficult to fulfil. It can set Kashmir on fire and the people who take decisions in New Delhi must appreciate our problems", he said.
Sanjay Tikoo , the President Kashmiri Pundit Sangarash Samiti, a body that represents `resident Kashmiri Pundits told Early Times: "The persons who stayed back in the Valley are living in pathetic conditions. There is no budgetary support for them. The government does not help them in any way. It seems the government has been ignoring them with the purpose of forcing their exodus as well", Tikoo said.
Tikoo while quoting official data of 1998 said: "After Wandama massacre, 19865 Pundits were still living in the Valley. However, the number has now reduced to 2 765 persons only."
Tikoo while appreciating the support from the majority community blamed the government for all the problems the community has been facing.
Tikoo said everybody talks about the displaced persons for political reasons. "The separatists, the mainstream politicians, the government, human rights defenders miss no opportunity to appease the displaced persons. But nobody seems interested in our welfare. He urged he government to release budgetary support in favour of the `resident' pundts immediately. |
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