Seeks opening of more cross-LoC routes, handing over of Tattoo Ground land
New Delhi, Nov 28 : Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today reiterated her demand for opening of more travel and trade routes across the LoC in Jammu & Kashmir to facilitate enhanced movement of people and goods on the two sides of the divide. She also sought handing over of Tattoo Ground land in Srinagar to the State Government besides revision of rent on the land used by the Army in the State.
The Chief Minister put these demands in her separate meetings with Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar here today.
Mehbooba Mufti said opening the LoC for more travel and trade points would not only improve the people to people contacts but also give the cross-LoC trade a further push.
The Chief Minister also sought regularization of Nepal route for youth who want to return back and start their life afresh. She said in the absence of regularizing the said route, youth returning back to the State are facing innumerable problems.
Mehbooba Mufti also raised the issue of revision of ex gratia scheme in the State. She sought revision of existing rates of compensation and ex-gratia and also including some new components like loss of livestock in the scheme. She also requested for enhancement in the honorarium of SPOs working in the Police Department which also has been earmarked in the Prime Minister’s Development Programme.
The Union Home Minister assured the Chief Minister that the demands and issues raised by her would be expeditiously resolved.
In her meeting with the Defence Minister, Mehbooba Mufti sought handing over of the land at Tattoo Ground, Srinagar to the State Government so that the same could be used for promotion of tourism activities and creation of lung space for the city, in view of the centrality of the location. She also demanded revision of rent on the land under use of the Army in the State.
The Chief Minister also asked for enhancement of rates of compensation to population affected by firing ranges in various parts of the State as the livelihood of many in the villages depends on the income from such pieces of land. She also requested for extension of the facility for airlifting of civilians by Air Force (including casualties like accidental cases, blast cases and suffering from terminal ailments) from the far flung areas which get cut off from mainland during winters due to snowfall and other natural vagaries. She also sought recruitment of more youth from the State in the Territorial Army.
The Defence Minister also assured the Chief Minister of a speedy response on the demands raised by her. (KNS)