Jammu, Jan 24: Asserting that Stressing that he was “pained” by the death of “even a terrorist”, Governor Satya Pal Malik Thursday urged the Valley’s militants to shun violence and return to the mainstream.
The Governor also lauded the government forces including the state police for their success in curbing militant activities.
Malik highlighted that his administration was in the process of formulating a fresh package for the rehabilitation of militants in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The police is performing its duty in the best possible way. But even if a terrorist loses his life, I feel pained… They all should come back (to the mainstream),” Malik told reporters here on the sidelines of an event.
“When I took over as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, I tried to give them (government forces) the best possible facilities. I have seen they conduct their operations in tough situations and heavy snow. It’s a difficult task,” Malik said.
While we are sleeping in our homes at night, they are conducting operations, sometimes till three in the morning, Malik said.
The Governor also addressed the 9th Sat Paul Sahni memorial lecture on ‘Ethics and the Media: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ organised by the J&K regional branch of Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA).
Malik was the chief guest while Amitabh Mattoo, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu delivered the memorial lecture.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that democracy was deep-rooted in the Indian society which thrives on democratic principles giving the real power to the common man.
Mattoo in his lecture said that freedom of expression, values and institutions were at the core of the Indian democracy.
Historically, great leaders expressed their narratives through their own newspapers maintaining highest standards of objectivity, accuracy, accountability and humane approach, he said.
“Today in the post-truth world, the media is driven by technology where the news flows seamlessly across borders. The democratisation and decentralisation of news forms of media presents a diabolic situation which presents a great challenge for the future,” he added. (With PTI inputs)
Governor gives assent to bill granting reservation to Paharis
Srinagar, Jan 24: Governor Satya Pal Malik on Thursday give his assent to the Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2014, providing reservation to the persons belonging to Pahari community, clan or tribe having distinct cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity, in the government jobs.
The amendment provides for addition of a separate category of the persons belonging to Pahari community, clan or tribe having distinct, cultural, ethnic and linguistic identity among the Socially and Educationally Backward classes (other than Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes). The methodology and authority for identification of Pahari community shall be notified by the government, said an official spokesman.
Because of the remoteness and inaccessibility of the areas of their residence, the Pahari community has historically faced considerable economic distress leading to overall socio-economic backwardness, he said.
On one hand, they are not able to compete with other sections of the society who are better placed in terms of socio-economic position as also in terms of access to services like education and health-care due to above mentioned disadvantages. On the other hand, the Pahari people are not able to derive any benefit even at the lower rung in respect of getting employment.
The welfare legislation is aimed at providing job opportunities to the Pahari people residing in backward areas of the state. This was a long-pending demand of the people belonging to this group and will go a long way in improving their status, educational and job opportunities, said the spokesman.
