Issues faced by KPs working in valley will be addressed: Sinha
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said the issues faced by Kashmiri Pandits working in the valley, including their safety concerns, will be addressed.
“I would not like to go into the statistics of now and then. You are from here and you know it as well that the situation now is better than before. But unfortunately an odd incident (of violence) takes places once every few months. We are working out a strategy with police and other security forces to tackle this,” Sinha told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He was responding to a question about claims made by political leaders like National Conference’s Omar Abdullah and Peoples Democratic Party’s Mehbooba Mufti that the security situation in the valley was deteriorating.
Sinha said the “unfortunate” killing of Rahul Bhat was being probed by the special investigation team (SIT).
Bhat, who had got the job of a clerk under the special employment package for migrants in 2010-11, was gunned down by terrorists inside the tehsil office in Chadoora town of central Kashmir’s Budgam district last week.
“The SIT is investigating the matter. Once the report comes, we will examine it. Every resident of Kashmir, including minorities and Kashmir Pandits, have a right to remain safe and we are making efforts in this direction,” he said.
Sinha said the Kashmiri Pandits living the valley should not leave as the local residents of the valley also want them to stay.
“We will take care of all concerns of the Kashmiri Pandits including their security. My request to them is to have patience. People of Kashmir also want that the multi-religious culture and harmony should continue. We will try to resolve whatever problems that have been brought to my notice,” he added.
Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed officials to ensure effective and efficient response mechanism to serve people with total integrity, commitment and unflinching loyalty.
Lieutenant Governor interacted with the applicants of Jammu Kashmir Integrated Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (JKIGRAMS) and addressed their grievances during “LG’s Mulaqaat”- Live Public Grievance Hearing programme, at the Civil Secretariat, an official spokesman said.
He said the Lt Governor also gave on-spot directions for resolving the grievances of several applicants.
Emphasizing that administration being a service provider needs to develop, evolve and equip itself to fulfill people’s aspirations, the Lt Governor directed officials to ensure effective and efficient response mechanisms to serve people with total integrity, commitment and unflinching loyalty.
“Our grievance redress mechanism today is more resilient and accountable. Citizen is in the centre of governance and their complaints are being handled in fair, transparent and just manner. Regular orientation of staff from concerned department is being conducted by JK-IGRAMS,” observed the Lt Governor.
All Deputy Commissioners were further directed to submit the data regarding breach of predefined timelines under Public Service Guarantee Act while extending various public services and redressing grievances, within a week’s time.
The Lt Governor while taking stock of the issues highlighted by public during the interactive programme directed the concerned officials to make the delivery of services easier and more expeditious. He also said modification in policies and procedures should be undertaken by concerned authorities to reduce the cause of grievances.
Rehana Batul Commissioner/Secretary, Public Grievances informed the chair about the progress and status of grievances received on JK-IGRAMS.
It was informed that more than 2, 12,000 grievances have been received on the JK-IGRAMS so far, out of which 97% have been resolved.
