Jammu, Sep 22: Continuing his public outreach programme at Jammu, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today met former Ministers, ex- Legislators, political leaders, and public delegations here at Raj Bhavan and took stock of their concerning issues and grievances.
Delegation of BJP leaders led by Sh Ravinder Raina comprising of former Minister, Dr. Devinder Kumar Manyal and former MLC, Sh Vibodh Gupta discussed the Covid-19 situation in the UT.
They projected issues related to strengthening of health infrastructure, provision of 24×7 health facilities in the district hospitals, shortage of oxygen cylinders and medical staff, early operation of oxygen plant at GMC Jammu and expediting recruitment of paramedical staff in district hospitals.
Issues like the review of reopening of schools and other education institutes due to apprehensions expressed by the parents, fixation of rates to prevent overpricing of minor minerals, pending payments of MGNREGA from 2017-18, pending social welfare pensions, compensation for left out beneficiaries under relief package for PoJK refugees settled outside J&K, unified survey for BPL beneficiaries, welfare of NYCs, Rehbar-e-Khel recruits and regularisation of Daily Wagers and Ad Hoc lecturers and enhancement of the honorarium of VDCs and their strengthening were also raised during the interaction.
Former Minister Sh Sunil Sharma met the Lt Governor and expressed gratitude for the much-needed airstrip at Kishtwar District.
He also apprised the Lt Governor of various issues pertaining to ITI Padder, commencement of work on Saffron Park Kishtwar, widening of road for Kulid Chowk to 9 Sector RR, Degree College at Dachhan and other development issues of Kishtwar.
Former Minister, Sh Bali Bhagat and Senior Journalist Sh Daya Sagar also raised issues related to clarification on rules and eligibility for Domicile Certificate, reorganisation of district administrative units, payment of Rs 5.5 lakh for left out PoJK refugees, engagement of vacant positions in Medical Colleges and new Medical Colleges for Kathua, Rajouri, Doda, and Anantnag. The former Minister also demanded dedicated health facilities for Covid-19 patients.
He also thanked the Lt Governor for recently announced Economic Package for Revival of Businesses.
Former MLC, S Charanjeet Singh Khalsa submitted a memorandum of demands pertaining to the implementation of relief and rehabilitation of measures recommended by the DRPSC on Home Affairs, GoI; inclusion of 5300 left out families under financial package for refugees of 1947, grant of proprietary rights of small plots of land in the camps/ bastis on which the displaces families have constructed pakka houses, setting up delimitation commission and opening up of 8 assembly seats kept frozen for the voters of PoJK, the inclusion of Punjabi among official languages of J&K and establishment of Shri Guru Nanak Devi ji Chair in University of Jammu and construction of Shri Guru Nanak Bhawan in Jammu city.
A delegation of Sikh Youth of Jammu & Kashmir led by Sh Varinder Singh Sonu presented a memorandum for the inclusion of Punjabi as one of the official languages of J&K under the Official Language Bill 2020. Other members of the delegation included Sh Kanwaljeet Singh, Adv Tanjeev Singh, Sh Harvinder Singh, Sh Yashpal Singh, and Sh Amandeep Singh.
Meanwhile, President JK Gujjar Bakerwal Federation, Sh Shokat Gujjar also called on the Lt Governor and raised welfare issues of Gujjar Bakerwal community including special education policy for Gujjar Bakerwal Samaj and inclusion of Gojri language as one of the official languages of J&K.
While interacting with the members of the delegations, the Lt Governor observed that various initiatives have been taken by the UT Government and many more are underway aiming at the holistic development of J&K. The results of the strenuous efforts of UT Government are already visible on the ground as J&K is witnessing a new era of rapid and equitable development, he remarked.
The Lt Governor also assured the delegations to review their genuine issues for early redressal and urged the former Ministers, former Legislators, and political leaders to continue their sustained efforts towards the welfare of the people at all fronts.
