Kupwara, Oct 5: Peoples Conference Chairman and Member Legislative Assembly (MLA) Handwara Sajad Gani Lone has questioned the regional disparity in the issuance of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) certificates.
Lone said, around 92 percent of the certificates issued so far are from Jammu while only around 8 percent have been issued in Kashmir.
Lone passed on these remarks while talking to reporters in Handwara after a review meeting with officers.
He said, the issue required examination by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government and called for a review of the existing criteria.
“If 92 percent of the certificates had been issued in Kashmir and 8 percent in Jammu, I would have raised my voice even then. The question is whether 92 percent of the poor actually live in Jammu and only 8 percent in Kashmir,” he said. “The issue was not necessarily about wrongdoing but about a policy framework that requires correction.”
Lone criticised the functioning of the administration alleging that ordinary people are being made to face unnecessary difficulties in obtaining permissions and accessing government services.
He said the Assembly Speaker had assured him that a Privilege Motion could be brought if recommendations made by MLAs were ignored by government departments.
On the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Lone expressed concern over delays in implementing water-supply schemes in Jammu and Kashmir.
“JJM is a centrally funded scheme and it has a specific time limit. We have already lost around two years. We will investigate the matter but our immediate priority should be to ensure that water reaches the people. Delays in implementing water-supply schemes had caused difficulties for the public and those responsible would have to answer for depriving people of access to water. Efforts would now be made to expedite the laying of water pipelines and completion of pending schemes,” he said.
Lone also said efforts had been initiated to maintain close coordination with government departments and officers so that the MLA office could work more effectively with the administration.
“We have started maintaining liaison with officers and taking reviews of the work being carried out by different departments. We will continue this exercise so that the MLA office and departments can work together closely in the interest of the people,” he said.
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