A delegation of Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party led by its president Syed Mohammad AltafBukhari called on Prime Minister NarendraModi today.
The delegation called for immediate confidence buildingmeasures in J&K besides emphasizing on fulfillment of the promises made bythe country’s leadership on the floor of the Parliament.
A JKAP spokesperson in a statement said that the “PrimeMinster assured the delegation that there will be no demographic change asapprehended by the people in Jammu and Kashmir. PM Modi said that the people ofJammu and Kashmir shall witness an equitable development and there will be nodiscrimination on the basis of religion or region in the same.”
The delegation comprised 24 party leaders including Ghulam Hassan Mir,Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, ChoudharyZulfikar Ali, Rafi Ahmad Mir,Mohammad Ashraf Mir, ZaffarManhas, Vijay Bakaya, Vikram Malhotra, Manjeet Singh,Mumtaz Ahmad Khan, Javed Hassan Beigh, Usman Majeed, ChoudharyQamarHussain,Raja Manzoor, Shoiab Lone, Abdul MajeedPadder, Abdul Rahim Rather, Syed AsgharAli, JavaidMirchal, Noor Mohammad Sheikh, Yawar Ahmad Mir and Kamal Arora.
“The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere witnessing an exchangeof purpose oriented ideas and opinions on socio-economic and politicaldevelopments that have a direct bearing on Jammu and Kashmir,” the partyspokesman said.
Later a memorandum was presented to the Prime Minister highlighting theurgent demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Calling for immediate confidence building measures, the delegationemphasized on fulfillment of the promises made by the country’s leadership onthe floor of the Parliament. The Prime Minster assured the delegation thatthere will be no demographic change as apprehended by the people in Jammu andKashmir. Modi said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir shall witness anequitable development and there will be no discrimination on the basis ofreligion or region in the same,” the spokesman said.
He said: “PM Modi further promised that steps would be taken to restoremutual trust and confidence among the people of Jammu and Kashmir. And amongthe major steps, he said, domicile law on land and jobs for residents of Jammuand Kashmir will be coming soon,” the spokesman said.
“Similarly, the Prime Minister reiterated his commitment on restoration ofstatehood to Jammu and Kashmir after the delimitation process is over. Modisaid that the delimitation exercise would be conducted purely on the basis ofmerit and there shall be no political interference in the same.
“On the functional autonomy of J&K Bank, the PM assured that he wouldensure the pristine glory of the Bank is restored by making it autonomous inits functioning in coming days. The Prime Minister also assured full support ofthe Government of India to make Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful and prosperousregion in the world,” the spokesman said.
The main issues, as per the party spokesperson, on which threadbarediscussions were held during the meeting include:
DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES:
The delegation impressed that the “apprehensions and misunderstanding withregard to demographic transformation in Jammu and Kashmir need to be dispelledby the country’s top leadership especially the Hon’ble Prime Minister, himself.
“The gulf between people of Kashmir and people in Jammu need to be reducedwith a promise and purposeful assurance by the country’s top leadership thatthere shall be no discrimination in development and opportunities on the basisof region or religion.”
“Majority community of J&K is apprehensive of disempowerment andisolation. These misgivings need to be removed,” the delegation said.
RESTORATION OF STATEHOOD:
“People of Jammu and Kashmir had not realized essence of Statehood untilAugust 5, 2019. Statehood is a reference to the glorious past and a privilegefor solidification of the idea of pluralism and respectful coexistence in Jammuand Kashmir like any other State.
“For keeping up this spirit and allowing a cultural mosaic to continue,restoration of Statehood including establishment of a Legislative Councilshould be done as per the commitment of the country’s top leadership on thefloor of Parliament,” the party delegation said.
DOMICILE RIGHTS ON LAND AND JOBS:
“The August 5 decisions have left indelible marks on the psyche of thepeople of Jammu and Kashmir especially with regard to their domicile rightsfor: employment under Government services; acquisition of immovable property;settlement in the State and, of course, defining such residents.
“A tangible legal and constitutional mechanism needs to be put in place tosafeguard these privileges of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This can alsoinclude that no domicile certificate shall be issued in favour of a person tillthe completion of minimum 25 years as a resident of Jammu and Kashmir. Theperiod of 25 years shall be considered post 31st of October 2019.”
DELIMITATION PROCESS ON MERIT:
“The process of delimitation is being viewed as a politically motivatedexercise in Jammu and Kashmir. The rumours that adjustment of boundaries anddescription of the extent of parliamentary constituencies have been thrust topit Jammu against Kashmir for some political mileage. This serious issues needsto be addressed by increasing the seats proportionately based on a rationaleand not arbitrarily.”
RELEASE OF DETAINEES:
“All detainees under preventive detention including two former CMs bereleased as the life has almost returned to normal and all apprehensionsregarding law and order subsided.
“A compassionate policy be framed regarding detainees jailed under PSA. Acompassionate and lenient review of cases of PSA can be a confidence buildingmeasure.”
SPECIAL ECONOMIC PACKAGE:
The tourism, agriculture, horticulture, transport and industrial sectorsare reeling under tremendous distress. Absence of a practicable mechanism tosupport the stakeholders of these sectors is still missing. The centralgovernment needs to go for a liberal economic package to boost all thesesectors of economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Besides, immediate relief in the shape of Fiscal Incentives, InterestSubvention, tax exemptions to other sectors, loan waivers like Kisan Creditloans can be major confidence building measure.”
J&K BANK’S FUNCTIONAL AUTONOMY:
“J&K Bank has lost its pristine glory. Currently it is being run as agovernment treasury. The Bank should be operated in a professional manner withnegligible political or bureaucratic interference. The loan settlement process,stopped by this bank since last seven months, be immediately resumed.
“Similarly, for a serious revival of J&K’s shattered economy, the Bankshould go for advances for its clientele especially the businessmen,shopkeepers, traders, manufacturers, industrialists, hoteliers, orchardists,farmers, transporters, houseboat owners, tour and travel operators and allother allied sectors of economy. This will provide a sigh of relief for a majorsection of the society in J&K.”
YOUTH POLICY:
“Youth in J&K are extremely alienated due to multiple reasons. Thisalienation makes most of them an easy fodder for those who wanted to fomenttrouble in the region. We cannot afford loss of another generation whichotherwise can be addressed with a meaningful engagement with the youth andtheir aspirations. Need of the hour is a comprehensive youth policy be framedand implemented in letter and spirit.”
RETURN OF PANDITS:
“Kashmiri Pandits are aninseparable part of Jammu & Kashmir’s pluralistic ethos. Unfortunately,living like refugees in their own country, they have been demandingrehabilitation with dignity. The central government should make special effortsto ensure that Kashmiri Pandits return to the land of their ancestors with fulldignity and an assured livelihood. The policy in this regard needs to beimplemented taking the other communities on board.”
Employment Package:
“Age relaxation clause for J&K youth appearing for UPSC and othercompetitive exams be restored. Public Service Commission be made functional.The alarming unemployment issue in J&K needs to be addressed with acomprehensive and a result oriented package at an earliest.”
ADMINISTRATIVE INERTIA:
“The functioning of J&Kadministration needs to be clean and impartial and above all professional thenonly it can instill some confidence among the people of Jammu and Kashmirespecially the youth.
“Such type of administrative set up is missing in J&K. A major part ofthe J&K administration is either inept or have no zeal to identify with thedistress and anguish prevalent among the masses. This perpetual administrativeinertia needs to be addressed on priority.”
HASSLE FREE CONNECTIVITY:
“Dilapidated condition of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway—being the Valley’sonly land connection with rest of the country, has been a source of perpetualdistress for the people of the region especially during winters.
“A major portion of this highway is landslide prone, slippery anddangerous. The Highway needs to be developed urgently and till that work isaccomplished, Dakota services should be a permanent feature for a hassle freeconnectivity between Jammu and Srinagar.
“Besides the civil aviation ministry needs to put a cap on airfare fromJammu-Srinagar and vice versa and Jammu & Kashmir with rest of the country.This will not only boost and promote the tourism sector but will also provide asigh of relief to the people of J&K who suffer immensely because ofexorbitant airfares.”
SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF CENTRAL LAWS:
“The tribal population and traditional forest dwellers in Jammu andKashmir are facing immense hardships and persecution in absence of legalsafeguards. Selective enforcement of central laws in Jammu and Kashmirespecially after August 5, 2019 decision, is highly regrettable. “Like nonapplicability of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogationof Abrogation of Article 370 is not only unjustifiable but without anyrationale.
“The Forest Rights Act, applicable across the country except for Jammu andKashmir, would not only protect tribal population and other forest dwellersagainst forced displacements, eviction but will ensure their other rights aswell, which include grazing rights, access to water resources and access toforest products. “The Government of India should fulfill its commitment withthe tribal and socio-economically marginalized forest dwellers and enforce theForest Rights Act in J&K without any further delay.”