Migrant employees, others from Jammu to be posted in ‘secured’ locations in Kashmir by Jun 6: Official sources
Dedicated cell set up in GAD for redressal of grievances of minorities in Kashmir
Srinagar/Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday decided to immediately post Kashmiri migrants employed under the prime minister’s special package and other employees belonging to the Jammu division in “secured locations” in the Valley by June 06, official sources said.
The decision comes after a series of targeted killings of Hindu government employees by militants in Kashmir and fears of their exodus from Kashmir.
“PM Package employees and others from minority communities posted in Kashmir division will be immediately posted at secured locations and the process to be completed by Monday, 6th June,” a source said.
“It has to be ensured that no employee should work or reside in isolated areas or in a scattered manner,” the source said.
This was decided in a high-level meeting of administrative heads and senior police officers chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha early on Wednesday, sources told PTI.
In addition to a special cell within Lieutenant Governor’s secretariat, General Administration Department (GAD) also set up a dedicated email ID for complaints and grievance redressal.
“Reiterating the commitment for resolution of issues pertaining to minorities in Kashmir Valley, today a dedicated cell in the General Administration Department was set up for attending and resolving grievances related to minorities in Kashmir,” an official press release informed Wednesday.
It said the members of minority community facing any difficulty can contact the designated officer on the dedicated e-mail ID: [email protected] or can register his/her grievances on the following telephone numbers 0194-2506111 and 0194-2506112 between 10:00 am to 05:30 pm.
The cell shall be headed by Additional Secretary (Administration), GAD, the press release informed.
There is a need to sensitise the lower-rung officials in every department to take up such matters and complaints seriously and on priority, officials said.
“Any lapse in dealing with complaints or harassment of the PM package and minority community employees will be dealt with strictly”, they said.
The sources said that confidence-building measures must be taken to ensure that the employees feel safe and secure. Senior officers were asked to visit the employees for first-hand appraisal of concerning issues, they said.
The Deputy Commissioners and Superintendent of Police (SPs) will actively monitor the complaints of such employees, it was decided.
Other issues of PM package employees such as promotions and preparation of seniority lists must be completed within three weeks, they said.
“The DCs and SSPs must carry out an assessment of accommodation of the PM package and minority community employees,” they said.
“It has to be ensured that no employee should work or reside in isolated areas or in a scattered manner,” the source said.
The migrant employees have been holding protests demanding they be shifted out of the Valley. (With PTI inputs)
