Several delegations meet LG, welcome domicile law

JAMMU: Representatives of various organizations of Kashmiri Pandit Community, Valmiki Samaj, and other communities besides of various political parties on Thursday called on Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu to thank him and the central government over the new domicile rules paving way for non-registered community members living in various parts of the world to obtain domicile certificate.
The delegations also commended the steps initiated by the UT Administration and the Government of India for boosting the pace of development in J&K.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration had on Monday taken a decision to reopen fresh registration for Kashmiri migrants and displaced persons, besides Valmikis, West-Paskistani refugees and several other thereby paving way for the inclusion of bonafide people who migrated from J&K and are not registered with the government.
Representatives of various organisations of Kashmiri Pandit community including Kashmiri Pandit Welfare Organizations and All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee called on Murmu at Raj Bhavan and expressed their gratitude towards the central government and J&K UT administration for the introduction of the new domicile law in J&K, an official spokesman said.
The members of these delegations termed the new domicile law as historic. They also reiterated that the removal of Article 370 and Article 35A would take the UT to new heights of growth and development, the spokesman said.
Terming the developments regarding the amendments in domicile law of J&K as a "red-letter day" for the entire Kashmiri Pandit community, the All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC) has expressed its pleasure and complimented Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, L-G Murmu and all those associated with back-channel engagements who made this happen.
"It is big step towards reaching out to the community and a confidence building measure," former chief secretary and leader of Jammu and Kashmiri Apni Party Vijay Bakaya said.
Terming it as as a "healing touch", President of Martand Trust and PDP leader A K Sidda said the government has brought a smile on the faces of the community through this new domicile law.
While interacting with members of the delegation, the L-G opined that the new domicile law will ensure equitable, balanced and inclusive development of Jammu and Kashmir and its people.
A delegation of Kashmiri Pandit Welfare Organizations headed by Dr K N Pandita (a Padma Shri awardee) comprising ex-MLCs Surinder Ambardar and G L Raina; K K Khosa, President, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha Jammu and several social activists put forth various welfare issues of the Kashmiri Pandit community, including simplification of the voting process, speeding up selection process under the PM's package, transit accommodation for migrant employees, etc.
On being apprised of the issue of giving protection to shrines, the Lieutenant Governor maintained that the government has already taken up the issue to ensure the safety and security of the shrines and devotees.
Others who met Murmu included delegations of Valmiki Samaj; Shree Amar Kshatriya Rajput Sabha and World Brahmin Sabha, JK Chapter. During their interaction with the Lt Governor, the members of the delegations commended the steps initiated by the UT Administration and the Government of India for boosting the pace of development in J&K and welcomed the introduction of J&K Domicile Law. They said that the UT Administration led by the Lt Governor has instilled the feeling of equitable development and oneness among people of all communities.
The members of Valmiki Samaj delegation apprised the Lt Governor about various welfare issues of their community. They demanded preferences in Government Jobs to people belonging to Valmiki Community, on which, the Lt Governor said that a Commission has been established to look into such matters.
SAKRS president and Retired Sessions Judge Pavitar Singh appreciated the UT Administration and Centre for the promulgation of Domicile Certificate Rules, and providing hassle free process for the registration of the said certificate, besides raising issues of public importance including protection of heritage monuments of Dogra Rulers.
The members of the World Brahmin Sabha, JK Chapter, briefed the Lt Governor about the activities being undertaken by WBS during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also submitted a memorandum of demands pertaining to welfare of general public of J&K including digitization and English encryption of all Revenue Records; online Building Plan permission; rehabilitation of Temples in Kashmir etc.
The Lt Governor observed that the development of every section of the society is a key in the development of any region and Government is making every possible effort to meet the development aspirations of people all communities of J&K.