Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Thursday said that the day was not far when all Kashmiri Pandits would return to their homeland in the Valley.
“With God’s grace, all Pandits would return to their homes in Kashmir and the day is not far,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a Mahashivratri fair at Jammu.
He said that the salaries of the Pandit employees working under the PM package in Kashmir, who rejoined their duties, have been released.
“Keeping in view the Mahashivratri festival, full salaries of all PM packages and other minority community employees who have resumed their duties in Kashmir have been released,” the LG said.
“Jammu & Kashmir government always stands by you. Your safety is our top priority and we are taking all possible measures to ensure that. This is the commitment of the Government of India and the Hon’ble Prime Minister,” the LG said.
“You have suffered a lot for three long decades. I pray that the day will come when you return to your homes with honor. I hope with your return Kashmir will find its lost glory,” the LG added while addressing a gathering of Pandits at the Mahashivratri fair.
The LG also shared the progress of the construction of housing units for PM Package employees in Kashmir.
“Earlier, it was difficult to get land for the construction of 6000 dwellings but now the land has been identified and except for two sites, the work is in full swing. 1200 dwellings will be handed over by April and by December more than 2500 dwellings would be handed over,” he informed.
Extending the greetings of Mahashivratri in advance, the LG while attending the fair at Jagti Colony and Migrant Camp Buta Nagar said the festival is the celebration of Kashmiri culture and the spiritual-cultural heritage of the country.
In order to facilitate Kashmiri Pandit Community in camps and non-camp areas, Relief Organisation has brought together 20 line departments for the Mahashivratri Mahotsav, an official press release informed.
“It is the symbol of our ancient values and ethos. Kashmiri Pandit brothers and sisters living in different parts of the country and the world have kept this tradition alive,” the LG added.
“Mahashivratri or Herath is the most important festival of Kashmiri Pandits and the festivity has been aptly named ‘Waliv Samav – Let’s Come Together’ to celebrate and seek divine blessings of Lord Shiva. This is a welcome step by the Relief and Rehabilitation department,” said the LG.
“Our festivals are also the source of self-awakening. I pray to Lord Shiva for the happiness, prosperity, good health, and well-being of all,” Sinha said.
He also highlighted the initiatives of the administration for the extension of seamless public service delivery to the Kashmiri Pandit community at their doorsteps.
All the issues of the Migrant Kashmiri Pandit community are being taken up for their resolution with the utmost sensitivity, said the LG.
“Special Governance Camp is a testimony to our commitment to the welfare of the Kashmiri Pandit Community. The Department of Relief and Rehabilitation and other line departments are ensuring 100 percent saturation of the benefits of all social security schemes, entrepreneurship development schemes, and skilling programs,” added the LG.
The LG urged all the members of the Kashmiri Pandit community to avail the benefits of the special camps.
“Administration is always ready to resolve all genuine issues. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure that your problems and grievances are resolved promptly and effectively,” he added.
Beneficiaries identified for various schemes during Special Governance Camp on February 04 were also handed over aids and authority letters on the occasion, the official press release informed.
Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; KK Sidha, Commissioner, Relief & Rehabilitation, and other senior officers were also present.
“Road project connecting Amarnath cave shrine will be approved this year”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed confidence Thursday that a road project connecting the Amarnath cave shrine will be approved this year as the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation has completed its preliminary project report.
Once the road is built, pilgrims from across the country and Jammu and Kashmir will be able to visit and pay obeisance at the cave shrine in the south Kashmir Himalayas, Sinha said.
“There was an unfortunate incident during the Yatra last year. I myself visited the Yatra route. I have tried and I am confident that (Amarnath) route can be constructed the way the road for the Char Daam Yatra has been constructed,” Sinha said.
The LG was addressing a gathering at a Maha Shivratri fair at the Jagti migrant camp here.
He said the route would start from Pahalgam via Panjtarni and Sangam top to Baltal. “Government of India’s NHIDCL has made its preliminary report. I am assured that this year, the road (project) will be approved,” he said.
The LG said the project will be completed within four to five years.
The Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways has assigned the construction of the ‘Sheshnag Tunnel’ on the Khanabal-Baltal section of NH-501 to the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The NHIDCL has invited Requests for Proposals (RFP) and the bidding will start on February 13. The due date for bidding is February 20.
