SAMBA: Lauding the immense contribution of West Pakistan refugees towards nation-building during the past seven and half decades, Pradesh BJP Vice President and former minister Surjeet Singh Slathia today said their welfare and equal partnership in resources and decision-making has been top on the agenda of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Abrogation of Article 370 paved the way for their empowerment as proud citizens of this great nation and removed all the obstacles that denied them the rights as bonafide subjects of Jammu and Kashmir”, Slathia said while addressing a day-long conference, organized by the BJP Refugee Cell Vijaypur.
Slathia lamented that those of the refugees settled in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of horrendous partition in 1947 suffered perpetual neglect, denial and deprivation in terms voting rights, jobs etc due to the wrong policies of the Congress and their local lackeys here unlike others settled in the rest of the country, who prospered and made mark in all the fields.
He referred to the landmark legislation of repealing Article 370 in August 2019 and said this reflected the deep urge of the BJP in general and the Prime Minister in particular in undertaking course correction. He said the politically empowered refugees can now take equal part in the democratic process and contribute in decision making in a big way.
Referring to the problems being faced by the people living in the forward areas, Slathia said that every endeavour is being made to ensure their safety, security and wellbeing with an avowed objective of bringing them under the ambit of the overall developmental scenario as per the vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.
He spelled out the measures taken by the BJP government with regard to one-time settlement of compensation for the West Pakistan refugees, grant of domicile and opening of opportunities in the field of education and other avocations besides establishment of the bunkers on a massive scale. These are some of the path breaking initiatives that have brought cheer in the lives of these segments of the society. Though much has been done, yet more is still to be carried out for ameliorating the lot of these people and the BJP is committed in this regard, he added.
Responding to various issues flagged during the conference, Slathia said though a multi-pronged strategy is already under the process and implementation in terms of developmental projects and provision of the utility services, the issues raised by the representatives would be taken up with the concerned agencies for immediate and earnest disposal. He said the Lieutenant Governor’s administration has already put in motion various schemes and programmes for the overall progress of all the areas, yet special impetus is being given on the development of the border, backward and hilly areas.
Present on the occasion included DDC Anita Choudhary, BDC Darshan Choudhary, Ashok Khajuria Incharge Refugee Cell BJP, Rakesh Mahajan incharge all cell BJP, Vijay Singh Vice President BJP Samba and others.
