JAMMU: National Conference today sought issuance of an ordinance with regard to implementation of the Kashmiri Hindu Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation) Bill.
The NC party, according to a statement issued here, said that this will be one of the major confidence building measures to pave the way for the honourable and safe return of displaced people back to their homes and hearths.
“We urge the Centre, as also Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to facilitate the implementation of the bill, brought twice by the National Conference in the Legislative Assembly but could not get passage due to inherent contradictions of several political parties,” Provincial Vice President, Anil Dhar, said while addressing a press conference at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan.
He was flanked by Provincial Vice President Som Nath Khajuria, Chairman of the NC Minority Cell Bushan Lal Bhat, President M.K Yogi and Jatin Bhat.
Anil Dhar said that the National Conference piloted the Bill twice, first by Abdul Rahim Rather and later by Saif-ullah Mir on the directions of Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah with an objective of transparent management of the shrines and temples across the Kashmir Valley besides their protection and safeguard. He regretted that due to politics, these bills could not be passed, which has caused immense concern and dismay among the displaced Kashmiri Hindu population. “The Ordinance will help in taking care of these properties and the boards should be established on the pattern of Gurdwara Prabandhak Board and Wakf Board,” he said.
Dhar sought earnest measures for upkeep and maintenance of the dilapidated Hindu temples, shrines and allied properties with special measures to remove encroachments forthwith
