Srinagar, Feb 27: Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Rural Development, Ali Muhammad Sagar Saturday said slapping of Public Safety Act was not justified but added that preventive measures had to be taken to save the situation.
 “The slapping of PSA is not justified anywhere but to save a situation, preventive measures need to be taken,” Sagar said responding to queries from the audience at a youth debate “Conversation for Change” organized by BBC World Service Trust here.
 When asked why employees’ leaders were not booked under PSA when youngsters were, Sagar blamed the media for the situation and said, “It is the media who make heroes out of them and play with the sentiments of the people.”
 Commenting on employment policy, he said, “People should realistically oppose or reject a policy but not on mere speculation. It is a comprehensive policy aimed at the benefit of youth and the state.”
 Admitting that there were discrepancies in the educational system, he said, “The policy of the government is consolidation not upgradation.”
 His comment that Kashmiri youth were not skilled, drew ire from the audience who responded by saying that educated youth with professional degrees remain unemployed due to lack of infrastructure in the state.
 Former chairman, Public Service Commission, Muhammad Shafi Pandit, said the employment policy of the government is good provided it is implemented. He also said that the attention of the youth needs to be diverted from government jobs to other sectors like tourism and handicrafts.
 In response to this, Abdul Rehman Veeri of PDP said that traditional educational system has to be revisited and our schools and colleges need to have job oriented courses.
 General Secretary, Rehbar-e-Ziraat Association, Suhail Inamullah blamed the Indus Water Treaty for stagnation in the state due to which the future of thousands of educated youth of the state has been paralyzed.
 Big FM’s RJ Sarah also formed part of the panel and discussed the need of an attitude shift necessary to understand the changing role of women.
 Project Manager of BBC World Service Trust, Harpreet Kaur, told Greater Kashmir, “The project aims at encouraging and facilitating dialogue in Kashmir’s political culture by ensuring that Kashmiris have access to information and to discussion on governance issues, this debate is just the beginning.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST