JAMMU, SEPT 20: Ahead of the autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly beginning on September 21, Mission Statehood president Sunil Dimple has demanded a detailed debate in the House on restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, the abrogation of Article 370 and the Centre’s position on restoring the erstwhile Dogra state.
Addressing media persons, Dimple questioned why the Centre has not restored Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood and urged the government to take up the issue prominently during the Assembly session.
He also demanded permanent regularisation of daily wagers, particularly those who have served government departments for decades, as well as relief and permanent employment for people who, according to him, donated land to the government 25 to 29 years ago.
Dimple called for an immediate enhancement of the remuneration of Jammu and Kashmir Police Special Police Officers (SPOs), claiming that many are still receiving very low monthly salaries. He demanded that a bill for enhancement of SPO salaries be introduced and passed in the Assembly.
Raising the plight of Lambardars and Chowkidars, he said many have been serving for around five decades and that even highly educated personnel in these categories continue to receive only around ₹1,500 per month. He demanded that their remuneration be increased to ₹25,000.
Dimple further sought implementation of the Minimum Wages Act and equal pay for equal work for employees and personnel engaged under NHM, MBBS and BDS internship programmes, BAMS, nursing and paramedical services and other contractual arrangements.
He alleged that vocational trainers, Cluster Resource Coordinators, seasonal teachers and Multi-Tasking Staff in different departments have remained without salaries for months. He demanded timely payment and appropriate enhancement of remuneration for contractual and temporary workers.
The Mission Statehood president also sought regularisation of NYC, REK and seasonal teachers, along with salary enhancement for vocational trainers, Cluster Resource Coordinators, Kisan Khidmat Ghar (KKG) workers, Rehbar-e-Khel, physical education teachers, Janglat workers, Rehbar-e-Taleem, Rehbar-e-Sehat, National Youth Corps personnel, SRO-43 beneficiaries, CPW workers, land donors and Anganwadi workers.
On education and healthcare infrastructure, Dimple demanded establishment of a National Law University in Jammu and a medical college at Katra. He also sought an Assembly resolution for starting GMC Vaishno Devi at Katra and called for the appointment of local Vice-Chancellors in universities across Jammu and Kashmir.
Raising the issue of unemployment, Dimple alleged that Jammu and Kashmir is facing a serious employment crisis and blamed delays in recruitment by the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) and Public Service Commission (PSC) for adding to the difficulties faced by educated youth.
He said young people who have acquired higher qualifications are facing uncertainty and stress because of prolonged delays in recruitment and selection processes.
Dimple demanded immediate commencement of the selection process for Police Inspector and Naib Tehsildar posts, warning that failure to act would force his organisation to launch an agitation.
On the power sector, he alleged that the existing power system in Jammu and Kashmir had failed to address public concerns and demanded corrective measures from the administration.
He further alleged that following the abrogation of Article 370, employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir had declined and claimed that the region’s resources and opportunities were increasingly being opened to outside interests. He urged legislators to raise these issues during the forthcoming Assembly session.
