J-K MLC demands constitution of welfare board for KPs

BJP MLC G L Raina today called on Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra and demanded the constitution of a "welfare board" for displaced Kashmiri Pandits (KP) in the state.
The MLC, in a memorandum to Vohra, also batted for the removal of alleged encroachments on properties of the community and their places of worships in Kashmir.
"Displaced Kashmiri Pandits are the greatest stakeholders in their rehabilitation in Kashmir. Therefore, it is they who must have the maximum say in deciding the modalities for their return to Kashmir.
"Hence, it would be appropriate that the state government puts in place a mechanism, which engages the community in regular dialogue, to work out the agreed principles of their return," Raina said.

The BJP MLC said, "One way of achieving it is to have a Kashmiri Pandit Welfare Board on the lines of the Gujjar or the Pahari boards with representatives from different districts and a chairman to look after the issues of the community".
Raina alleged that there was a systematic exclusion of minorities in the state through social, economic and political marginalisation and discrimination.

The MLC said that there was an urgent need to ensure universally accepted norms of equity and justice.
"To achieve this, is to have in place constitutionally entrenched measures that recognise minorities' existence and seek to address key structural disadvantages they experience, vital to, and effective in, promoting their well-being and inclusion," he said.

The best way to achieve it is to constitute the board, Raina said, adding that the process to evict encroachers from properties in the Kashmir valley, belonging to individuals and the community, "is casual and at times officials and local politicians are hand in glove with the land grabbers".
He also drew the governor's attention on the extension of welfare scheme benefits to the displaced community.
"The Union and state governments are running several welfare schemes for the benefit of deprived and vulnerable sections of the society. Unfortunately, Kashmiri Pandits are not being able to take benefits of these schemes because of administrative ambiguities," Raina said.

It is essential to remove these impediments to ensure welfare schemes reach the community, he said
On the protection of the community's right to vote in Assembly and other elections, he said, "The community needs to be included in the process of panchayat and urban local body elections, whenever they are held."
Raina also called for a passage of the Temples and Shrines Bill.