A Delegation comprising the core group of the All Jammu Civil Society Forum (AJCSF) met the Hon’ble Dy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh on 29th of October, 2016. The delegation raised various issues related to the Jammu region and the State.
The delegation headed by AJCSF convener Th. Gulchain Singh Charak brought out that frustrated from the hollow slogans, false assurances, un-kept promises by the successive governments and projects hanging in lurch for many years together, the population of Jammu Division is now pinning its hopes on Civil Society.
The AJCSF sought a clear answer from the government and a definite solution acceptable to all three regions of the State, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, governance that is fair to all without discrimination, providing balanced share in governing power and development in the three regions. We demand a fair deal, peace, equitable development and due share of opportunities.
The major issues raised by the AJCSF delegation were to discontinue the discriminatory practice of blocking the road in front of the winter secretariat which causes great hardship to commuters by dividing the city thus inconveniencing the school children, ladies, the sick, pilgrims to temples, dead being taken for cremation, tourists etc. It also results in added traffic congestion, traffic jams and pollution. The delegation asked for compensation to those dead in border firing by Pakistan including the cattle which are means of earning for the poor villagers. Th. Gulchain Singh informed that they have come to know from the reliable sources that some money is lying unutilized with the animal husbandry Deptt for the purpose of insurance of cattle, which should be utilized immediately.
The delegation requested for speeding up completion of the various pending projects including restoration of Mubarak Mandi, Parking slots, Tawi Lake, bus Stand and the Fly Over. Raising the issues of the ex-servicemen (ESM) Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal sought implementation of entitled six percent job reservations for ESM and early finalization of Fauji Colonies.
Reacting to the various demands, the Dy CM assured that for a policy for compensation of the loss of human lives and the insurance of cattle he will get the concerned files examined and take suitable measures. Regarding job reservations, he informed that 60 percent jobs in the new raisings will be made from the border regions of Jammu province. He also apprised the delegation about invoking benefits of the “Fasal Bima Yojana”.
Prof Nirmal Singh also assured that efforts are on by the government to finish the projects of Bus Stand, Vertical Parking slots in areas already identified. He assured that the past glory and heritage of the old walled city has been given due consideration including renovation and preservation of the historic Mubarak Mandi complex, for which a detailed discussion will be held with President Dogra Sadar Sabha.
The AJCSF also demanded establishment of Autonomous Regional Councils for the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. They projected for strengthening Door Darshan Kendra Jammu by enhancing its budget and starting of an exclusive Duggar Chanel. The Dy CM said that he will take up the above matter with Hon’ble Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, New Delhi.
The trade, commerce and business in Jammu region has come to a standstill with whopping amounts of payments pending from Kashmir. The losses are enormous and have caused a doom to the small scale suppliers, businessmen and tradesmen who have been pushed to starvation. They should be properly compensated through special package.
AJCSF also projected that common man has had no access to state secretariat which was closed and all routine matters were stuck including payments that needed government’s approval. These hardships must be mitigated and the unnecessary move of the secretariat should be stopped and it should start functioning at both the capitals on permanent basis. The Dy CM informed that the government is alive to the problem and it will be resolved at the highest level.
The delegation comprised of the following prominent members:- S/Sh. Abdul Majid, Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Annil Suri, Amanat Ali Shah, Col. Karan Singh Jamwal (Retd.), Brig. M. S. Jamwal (Retd.), Col Dr. Virender Kumar Sahi (Retd.)- Vr. Chakra, Kuldip Wahi, Prem Sagar Gupta, Parshotam Thapa, B.D Naryal, Kundan Lal Rathore, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Madhu Singh & Gulshan Rahi.,
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