AIKS delegation calls on minister of minority affairs

New Delhi/Jammu, November 03(Scoop News)- An AIKS delegation led by its President Moti Kaul called on K. Rahman Khan  Minister of Minority Affairs on 2nd November, 2012. He was accompanied by M. L. Malla Vice President, Dr. Romesh Raina General Secretary and the representatives of displaced doctors Dr. Varun Raina and Dr. Romila Darbari.

The meeting discussed various issues of immediate concern to the community and long term issues with the  Minister. Moti Kaul brought to his notice the issue of hike in the relief amount to the displaced people, in the light of the recent hunger strike by them in Jammu; despite a specific recommendation made to this effect by the State Govt. to raise the amount, no progress on the issue is visible. In case of recruitment of displaced KP youth, only 1300 youth have been employed under the PM’s Package so far. The process for further recruitment under the package needed to be speeded up as our youth were getting restive and over aged, it was emphasized. The need to provide suitable jobs to the KP youth who stayed back in the Valley at the peak of militancy was also emphasized. Rahman Khan was also urged to get the Prime Minister’s Financial Package restructured taking into account the aspirations of the displaced KP community so that they are never refouled ever again. There is a need for taking some confidence building measures which includes a process for initiating the grant of minority status and passage of Temples and Shrine Bill at the earliest.

Moti Kaul also urged the Minister to request the Govt. of J&K to rescind the recent order asking the doctors and paramedics to report to Jammu within an unrealistic time-frame. He apprised the Minister the circumstances under which they were forced to leave the Valley in 1990 and finally set up their homes/residences at different places in the country. This amounts to another dislocation, he observed.

M. L. Malla observed that during the last 22 years of displacement from Kashmir, members of the KP community are being seen as strangers in our own State and there is no effort being made from any quarter to genuinely create conditions conducive enough to rehabilitate us.

Dr. Romesh Raina brought to  Minister’s knowledge the need of having a holistic policy for the rehabilitation of displaced Kashmiri Pandits and urged him to prepare a clear road-map based on the hopes and expectations of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community.

Rahman Khan gave a patient hearing to the delegation and assured them that he would take up the issues raised with the highest and relevant authorities. He also said that he has taken a serious note and will do needful in the matter.

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