Altaf Bukhari demands UT specific IAS, KAS Cadre, allowing prayers at Jamia Masjid & regularization of daily wagers

Srinagar : The Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party organised its first Working Committee Meeting on Wednesday at the Party Head office in Sheikh Bagh, Srinagar that was attended by various party functionaries from both divisions of Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting was chaired by Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari wherein the committee passed a resolution to impress both J&K and as well as the Central government to reciprocate with the requisite demands of the people of J&K. The Working Committee stated that the Party stands resolute for the restoration of Article 370 & 35A and will continue its struggle politically and legally.
In a statement issued here, Bukhari said that Apni Party has emerged as a relatable platform in the political fabric of J&K that has conscientiously reflected the aspirations of the people and the meeting of this Working Committee is also primarily focused on raising the public issues with the government. “The members of the Working Committee resolved that the restoration of the Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir must be done prior to the upcoming elections so that a fair and accountable government is installed to work for the public welfare,” he said.
Bukhari said the Committee also resolved that the Delimitation Commission must deliver its report within the given time frame and the process should be fair, transparent and intelligible as mandated by the constitution of India. “The Party leadership will persistently raise this issue with the concerned quarters so that elections are held sooner and an accountable government is placed at the helm of affairs,” he added.
He said that J&K is currently facing an immense unemployment crisis which is highest in comparison to all the states and UT’s of the country but the Government of India appears to be non-serious about this pressing issue. “The Working Committee members pointed out that the commitments made by the Central Government for developing the private sector and bringing in investments to J&K have until now yielded no plausible results due to which our youth potential is getting wasted. The Working Committee impresses on the Government of India to formulate a comprehensive employment package for curbing the menace of spiking unemployment,” he said.
Bukhari asserted that the Committee also took notice of the sporadic electricity supply in J&K for which the government must take requisite steps to provide relief to the people. “The Government must ensure that hassel-free electricity is provided to the consumers, especially to Jammu division in summer and Kashmir division in winters,” he added.
Besides, he said the Working Committee has demanded for a separate cadre of IAS & KAS officers in Jammu and Kashmir so that the administrative institutions can function effectively.
“Merger of J&K IAS-KAS cadre with AGMUT needs to be undone as the officials from J&K can better serve their people while as the officials from other areas have nothing at stake and due to which deliverance on ground is being affected,” he observed.
Bukhari said the Party termed it unfortunate that prayers at Jamia Mosque are not being allowed for a long time now for which the government must take immediate steps. “The administration must take Jamia Mosque management on board for coordination while ensuring that prayers are allowed without giving any space to the law and order situation deteriorate,” he added.
He also said the Committee resolved that civil rights on State land and Kachcharia are being regulated by the revenue department and arbitrary disowning of such properties has developed a fearful environment. “There are explicit rules for these types of land that are enshrined within the law. The Government must act diligently over this issue. It is painful to see while there is a Review court order on Roshini Act but the poor are still being evicted from their possessions. This is detrimental to the democratic values of our country,” he said.
Commenting on the functionality of the three-tier system of Panchayat Raj in J&K, Bukhari said that these institutions including DDC, BDC & ULB continue to remain in shambles. “The DDC members were chosen by the people who showed that they have once again reposed their faith in democracy but unfortunately such institutions have become defunct and the people are again being pushed from pillar to post,” he added.
He said the Working Committee also noted the harsh evacuations of PoK refugees without giving them any tangible alternatives. “Apni Party firmly believes that the Central Leadership will once again exhibit magnanimity by assimilating these refugees in the diverse social fabric of our country. The government needs to handle this matter on a humane basis,” he said.
Raising the issue of daily wagers, Bukhari said that around 60,000 daily wagers have been promised to be regularized by the successive governments in J&K but to this day no concrete steps have been taken to resolve their long pending demand. “This adroit section works in almost all the administrative departments but still their fate is being kept hanging. The Party impresses on the government to regularize this important section of our society without any further delay,” he remarked.
Bukhari said that the Committee also discussed the administrative apathy where SSRB and Public Service Commission candidates are awaiting their results. Furthermore, many of these candidates have claimed to be facing regional and communal discrimination as the formal orders of many districts from Jammu have been already declared. We also urge the concerned authorities to declare the remaining with-held posts at an earliest,” he said.
Furthermore, he said that the Apni Party has always condemned every single civilian killing in J&K but those who were taken on mere suspicion and have been found innocent must be released at once. “Those found not guilty must not be slapped with PSA rather the Working Committee has demanded their immediate release,” he said.