JAMMU, Jun 7: A high-level delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) met Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan in Jammu and discussed a wide range of issues concerning public welfare and development.
The seven-member delegation, led by JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla, submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting several long-pending issues and seeking the intervention of the Lieutenant Governor for their resolution. The delegation included former minister Mula Ram, Chief Spokesperson Ravinder Sharma, former legislators Ved Mahajan, Balbir Singh, Indu Pawar and Manmohan Singh.
One of the major issues raised during the meeting was the preservation and restoration of the historic Mubarak Mandi Palace heritage complex. The Congress leaders expressed concern over the reported damage to the historic temple and other structures within the heritage site. They urged the Lieutenant Governor to personally visit the complex and sought the issuance of a white paper on the condition and conservation of the protected monument, which is regarded as a symbol of Dogra heritage and history.
The delegation also raised the issue of regularisation of daily wagers, need-based workers, temporary, contractual and ad hoc employees. It demanded a comprehensive package from the Central Government to address their long-pending demand for regularisation and to bring an end to uncertainty regarding their future.
The Congress leaders further sought regularisation of Special Police Officers (SPOs) and called for enhanced recruitment in police and central paramilitary forces to provide employment opportunities to youth.
Issues concerning farmers were also discussed. The delegation demanded amnesty on pending electricity, water and irrigation bills, citing the hardships being faced by the farming community.
While supporting the ongoing campaign against drug abuse and drug trafficking, the delegation urged authorities to continue strict action against the drug mafia. However, it stressed that innocent people should not suffer due to demolitions or actions taken without due legal process.
The delegation also highlighted the plight of families affected by floods and land sinking incidents and demanded early allotment of land for their rehabilitation. It sought a review of the land policy and requested regularisation of people occupying state land for several decades, particularly those residing for more than 30 years.
The Congress leaders also raised concerns over difficulties in land transactions caused by damaged revenue maps (Masavis) and sought speedy preparation of revised records. They further demanded early elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions and suggested fresh delimitation of Municipal Committee wards and District Development Council constituencies.
Additionally, the delegation urged construction of a bridge to provide connectivity to Bhaird Devta in Nagrota after the earlier structure was washed away in floods and sought provision of a motorised boat as a temporary arrangement for residents and students.