GS Asgotra
ET Report
JAMMU, Jan 23: The much hyped announcement of the ousted chief minister Omar Abdullah about granting Registered Backward Area (RBA) status to 39 villages in the state has proved to be a hoax as till date it has remained confined to papers only.
Sources informed Early Times that even after the lapse of nine months, the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and General Administration Department (GAD) have failed to publish notification granting RBA status to 39 villages of Jammu and Kashmir.
"Owing to lackadaisical approach of both the departments, the proposal to grant RBA status to different villages of J&K is gathering dust and officials seem least bothered to work on it", sources said.
They informed, " Due to the delay in new government formation in the state, the officials of both departments have adopted causal approach, creating complexity and unnecessary delay to publish notification of RBA status to these villages."
The former chief minister Omar Abdullah had announced in May 2013 that 39 villages would be given RBA status. The villages are: Balsaroo, Godhan, Kadyal, Lathari, Mawa, Brahmina, Majoor, Sandal and Sumah of tehsil Akhnoor and district Jammu, Dragu, Tehsil Bhaderwah district Doda, Rajool, Kummi, Partyal, Padal, Deon, Mohargarh, Talhar, Kathar-Brahmana and Dhergarh of tehsil and district Samba, Pamrote and Fazalabad of tehsil Surankote and Gursai of tehsil Mendhar district Poonch, Lower Bhatian of tehsil Thannamandi, Dehri Ralyote of tehsil Rajouri, hamlet Charung of village Hasplote, Hasyote, Rajdhani, Saim Sammat, Dodason Payeen, hamlet Ghaikhakha of village Dodasan and hamlet Remote of village Dodasan Balla of tehsil Thannamandi district Rajouri, Audsoo, Ganoora and Lalan of tehsil Anantnag, Odina of tehsil Sonawari district Bandipora, Sehpora tehsil Anantnag, Watalbagh tehsil Ganderbal, Khanpoora and Sheikhzoo of tehsil Lar district Ganderbal.
Kuldeep Singh, 50, of Padal, hamlet of Mohargarh Panchayat of Samba said, "We visit the district headquarter every week to know about the status but return disappointed as officials say that nothing has been done so far."
"Every month the state and Union governments publish the notification for jobs but due to our villages not falling under RBA category our wards cannot apply," he added.
When contacted tehsildar Samba, Kulbushan Khajuria said, "So far I have not received any communique from department regarding RBA status to nine villages in Samba district. If the concerned departments issue the notification the villagers will get RBA status". |
