Jammu& Kashmir Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, & MLA Gandhinagar,RamanBhalla is the senior figure of congress party in the state.
In an exclusive interview with ‘The Kashmir Scenario’, Raman Bhalla talks to Editor-in-Chief Malik Sajid.
What is being done to digitalize the revenue records in the state of Jammu& Kashmir?
It is an important issue and in this regard we are in process of establishing a “Record room”. We are also on priority basis trying to also complete all the Patwari related dimensions and are also having a meeting this month in Delhi wherein we would also look into ways to speed up the digitalization of revenue records in our state.
Recently released ‘Patwari Selection list’ has been stayed by High Court and also there are problems faced by already recruited Patwaris. What is your take on this?
We direly require human resource in the state Revenue Department and in this regard we had conducted examination through BOPEE, the highest professional Board and selected some 1500 Patwaris.Now, the selection list has been challenged by Settlement Assistants and in response to it we have filed our objections and also stated that we have taken full care of the qualification norms and other norms while selecting the Patwaris and also kept some prospects of reservation for settlement assistants in the Patwari cadre. Any outcome decision of the Hon’ble Court shall be implemented in letter and spirit.
J&K State has witnessed rampant conversion of agricultural land into Residential/commercialZones . What steps are being taken to prevent this?
The Jammu& Kashmir State witnessed turmoil for more than two decades and even forest land was grabbed. The example of grabbing of forest land at Bathandi, Jammu is a stark example of this bleak veracity. Now with the situation showing great signs of improvement we are taking all the required steps to prevent agricultural land conversion.
In this regard, we had proposed bill which was sent back as some MLA’S termed it too be of stringent nature and the bill has been sent to select committee headed by me. Now, we are making the necessary amendments and soon a proactive bill would be passed by the state legislature to curb land conversion.
Analysts state that after a natural calamity or disaster hit the J&K State usually the relief & rehabilitation efforts are slow. What’s your take on this?
This is a wrong perception. As a matter of fact, whenever some calamity or disaster hits the J&K State, the relief and rehabilitation efforts are very swift. The recent relief and rehabilitation measures taken during cloudburst in Ladakh region were highly appreciated by one and all. One has to bear in mind that relief and rehabilitation measures require preparation of reports after minutely assessing the ground situation and utmost care has to be taken to scrutinize false claims.
Often, we are listening to the news of suspension of ‘Patwaris’. How do you view this?
We are taking strict action against the corruption and if any Patwari indulges in corruption he has to face stringent action. In this relation, it is important to point out that on account of lack of human resource a single Patwari has to cater to number of villages and due to this heavy workload sometimes allegations surface.
Sometimes senior leaders of National conference and Congress talk tough language against each other even ending in hard arguments.How do you view this?
As far as I am concerned, I am a dedicated soldier of my party and always follow the direction of party. Differences do surface in coalition politics but at the end of day both parties on overall paradigm are working smoothly to usher an era of peace and prosperity in the state.
How do you envisage the growth of congress party in the J&K?
Congress party symbolizes hope for the people of the state. The benevolent approach of successive Congress led Government’s at central level have taken the J& K State to new heights of prosperity and revolutionized the basic sectors of life like education and health. The party is growing at an impressive pace in the state of J&K.
Most of the voices state that website of Revenue Department needs upgradation. What’s your view on this aspect?
Yes, definitely the of the Revenue Department demands further improvement and we already on the task to make it proficient.
What is status of progress on the e-governance?
We are working untiringly to achieve overall success in 100 percent implementation of the e governance in the State Revenue Department .
A migrant youth group from Jammu is on a visit to the Kashmir Valley. What is your take on this?
The top most priority of the state and central government remains that the youth of all three regions explore the entire state and get accustomed to the unique diversities of the state so that spirit of brotherhood develops between all three regions.
What is your message to masses of State?
My message to the masses of Jammu& Kashmir state is that they should display complete unity in taking the state forward towards the path of peace and progress. All three regions of the state Viz…Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh have lost much and now people of all three regions should get united to achieve what has been lost. People should not get divided on the basis of caste, language, creed or sex.