Jammu, Dec 11: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana Wednesday stated that a gamut of issues related to Darbar Move, development, recruitment and climate change figured during the meeting with the civil society members.
He asserted that the Chief Minister gave on-the-spot directions to address all concerns. Responding to media queries following a meeting of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his cabinet with the members of civil society in Jammu at his (CM’s) official residence, Rana said, “One such meeting with civil society members was convened in Srinagar last month. It has been a month now since the government offices have started functioning in Jammu.
So it was thought proper to hold a similar meeting in Jammu as well. This was the second such meeting. Different strata of people participated in the meeting and deliberations were held on varied issues viz., Darbar Move, developmental issues, climate change etc.”
Rana stated that the Chief Minister responded to every issue, raised there, in detail and also assured to continue this process of interactions at regular intervals. He sought the contribution of everyone in taking forward J&K and this nation forward. “The Chief Minister asserted that civil society had an important role in guiding the government to work in tandem with the aspirations of people. He (CM) elicited their (participants’) feedback on all issues,” the Minister for Jal Shakti said.
With regard to the demand for restoration of Darbar Move raised during the meeting, Rana stated that there were apprehensions in the minds of the people of Jammu about further setback to Jammu’s economy after the commencement of direct train service to Kashmir from next month.
“However, this is very unfortunate that the Jammu people never questioned those who stopped this historic tradition of Darbar Move, the significance of which was not just restricted to government functioning but was mainly aimed at uniting the people of two regions. Today these issues were raised before the government, which was already conscious of this issue (Darbar Move),” he said.
Rana said that keeping in view the aspirations of the people, the Chief Minister in the very first cabinet meeting had assured its (Darbar Move’s) partial restoration this year and full restoration next year.
“People here in Jammu never question those responsible for ruining Jammu. Questions are posed to us. Long back during Sheikh Sahib’s time, it was only stated that some officers would remain deployed in Kashmir and a few others in Jammu. This (statement) led to a massive strike in Jammu. Anyway, this government is taking it as a collective issue and the Chief Minister recently during his meeting with the Jammu Chamber also pledged to restore a full-fledged Darbar Move from next year,” Rana said.
Issues of daily wagers, recruitment and other related aspects were deliberated in the meeting. “Chief Minister has given directions to all the ministers to identify vacant posts. Accordingly, posts are being referred to JKSSB and JKPSC. Regarding reservation, all stakeholders will be consulted by the cabinet sub-committee to remove apprehensions.
Following the meeting, the civil society members, mainly representatives of business bodies, while speaking to the media, stated that they shared their concerns about economic distress in the economy, industry, tourism and Darbar Move-related issues.
“It was a laudable initiative of the government. We deliberated on such issues and shared our apprehensions. The Chief Minister listened to all in rapt attention and assured us to address our grievances. We are enthused as the government has provided us with such an opportunity to air our grievances and give our suggestions as well,” Deepak Gupta, President of Ware House traders’ body stated.
“We want it (meeting) to be a regular event. The Chief Minister has assured us to share with us an Action Taken Report on all issues raised during the meeting. This is laudable,” another participant said.
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