#Day62: What Happened To 2010 APD Recommendations? Home Ministry Answers

Saima Bhat

SRINAGAR

When All Party Delegation (APD) met in New Delhi on Wednesday, a presentation by Union Home Ministry detailed the actions taken on recommendations of a similar APD which visited Kashmir in 2010 during mass uprising. The APD led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited Kashmir on September 04 and 05 and met again in Delhi on September 07.

The Home Ministry has detailed the actions taken by J&K government besides the assistance provided by the Union Government to J&K state government.

At the peak of  2010 mass civil anti-establishment uprising, then Home Minister P Chidambaram had led an APD to Kashmir.

Notably, the general amnesty to those who were facing charges related to 2010 uprising was announced ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. It was one of the recommendations made by the 2010 APD. The current uprising was triggered by the killing of popular militant commander Burhan Wani on July 08, 2016 which coincided with 3rd Eid-ul-Fitr.

As per the official data of government of India, dated August 07, 2016, the All Party Delegation (APD) in 2010 had presented recommendations, which were approved CCS included eight things.

1. Appointment of group of interlocutors to which GoI responded that 53 recommendations were presented by them, out of which government of Jammu and Kashmir (Government of J&K-GoJK) is yet to respond on 28 recommendations.
2. GoJK was ordered to release all youth arrested by stone pelting and withdraw charges, to which GoI has responded that action has been completed by GoJK.
3. GoJK was asked to review arrests under Public Safety Act (PSA) to which GoI has informed action is completed.
4. GoI had recommended a meeting of unified command to review deployment of Security Forces (SFs) to which GoJK has said the action has been completed.
5. Ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh should be provided to Next of Kins (NoKs) of civilians killed since 11 June 10, 2010, GoI has informed that 102 NoKs were given relief on October 02, 2010 by GoJK, while as 10 more families were provided relief as per court orders.
6. Appoint two STFs for Jammu and Ladakh region was also recommended to which GoI has responded Jammu region was given 32 projects by GoJK of Rs 496 Crores and Ladakh region was given 92 projects by GoJK of Rs 415 Crores. Out of which 17+58 = 75/124 projects stands completed by GoJK.
7. Recommendation of reopening of all educational institutes was also listed to which GoI has said the action has been completed by GoJK.
8. Additional central assistance of Rs 100 crore was also recommended to be provided to GoJK for improving infrastructure of education institutes. The GoI has said that action stands completed.

Besides these recommendations, the APD in 2010 had also suggested formulating an expert group which will formulate a job plan for J&K. Based on this suggestion; Prime Minister of India did formulate an expert group in same year under the chairmanship of C Rangarajan.

Three schemes were provided to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, which are still training the students.

1) HIMAYAT: under which placement linked skill training was provided for 1 lakh youth (18-35 years) including school drop-outs being implemented by Ministry of Rural Development.

Under this scheme, 68, 148 students were trained; 51, 319 were given placements and 1, 949 students are still under training.

2) UDAAN: under this scheme a special industry initiative was taken for making 40,000 graduates employable and this scheme was being implanted by MHA through NSDC.

Under this scheme, 14, 705 students were given training, 9, 258 students were given placements and 6, 998 students are still under training.

3) Special Scholarship Scheme: under this scheme around 25,000 students over a period of 5 years, being implemented by union ministry of HRD and fresh scholarships were provided to 9500 candidates.