news details |
|
|
| Sikh Progressive Front delegation meets CM Omar Abdullah; raises key issues of Sikh Community | | |  Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 12: A delegation of the Sikh Progressive Front, led by its President Balvinder Singh, along with General Secretary Manjit Singh, Joint Secretary Rajinder Singh Soodan, Paramjit Singh, T.P. Singh, and other members, met the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, today to discuss several long-pending issues concerning the Sikh community of the Union Territory. The delegation was accompanied by NC Youth Provincial President S. Tejinder Pal Singh Aman.
The main issue on which the Hon'ble Chief Minister gave assurances was the promotion of the Punjabi language in the education system, particularly in schools and colleges, by ensuring the availability of qualified Punjabi teachers. The Chief Minister assured that the vacant posts of Punjabi teachers would be filled so that the language can be effectively taught and promoted.
Another important issue raised was the early implementation of the Anand Marriage Act in J&K and the removal of the anomaly of charging a basic registration fee of ?1500 along with penalty provisions for delayed registration of Sikh marriages. The Chief Minister expressed concern over the issue and agreed that such charges were not justified, noting that only a nominal fee of around ?100 is charged under the Hindu Marriage Act. He assured the delegation that the matter would be reviewed and the order reconsidered.
The delegation also informed the Chief Minister that the file related to grant of additional ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of 14 persons who lost their lives during the 1989 Anti-Sikh riots in Jammu has reportedly been pending in the Civil Secretariat for nearly four years. They sought his intervention to expedite the case and provide long-awaited relief to the affected families.
The delegation further raised the issue of political reservation and representation for the Sikh community in J&K, pointing out that several sections of society-including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, Paharis, Gujjars, Kashmiri Pandits under the migrant quota, and displaced persons from POJK-have been provided political representation through reservation or nomination, while the Sikh community continues to remain excluded from this framework. The delegation urged the government to ensure appropriate political reservation or nomination to provide the Sikh community fair representation in the legislature.
They also demanded amendment of SRO 425 to include Sikh youth of the Kashmir Valley in the Special Employment Package originally announced by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to all the issues and assured the delegation that he would personally look into the matters with a positive approach and extend all possible support.
SPF condemned and expressed concern over the attack on Farooq Abdullah and wished him good health and well-being
The meeting concluded with the delegation thanking the Chief Minister for sparing his valuable time and for giving a constructive and positive hearing to the concerns of the Sikh community. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
