KL Report
Srinagar
Minister for Health, Horticulture & Floriculture, Sham Lal Sharma and Minister for Revenue, Raman Bhalla Sunday reiterated the resolve of the Government to address all outstanding issues of refugees of West Pakistan and Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) on priority. They said the issues are under the active consideration of Central and StateGovernments and a road map has been drawn for their amicable solution in a phased manner.
Addressing a big gathering of West Pakistani refugees at Swankha More in Vijaypur, Sham Lal Sharma said that recently a delegation of State leaders under the leadership of President Pradesh Congress Committee, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and MP Madan Lal Sharma met the Central leadership recently and discussed the issues of West Pakistani and PaK refugees. They strongly highlighted their long outstanding issues and requested the Central leadership to address these on merit. He said that Centre has been convinced about the genuine problems of the refugees and has assured to resolve these in near future.
Sham said that issues which are in the preview of State Government will be segregated and addressed within the constitutional framework, for which the coalition Government was committed. He said the refugees are highlighting their problems from time to time and now the time has come when their all genuine problems are solved in an amicable manner. The Government has all sympathy with the affected people and they will get the fair treatment, he added.
Bhalla in his speech said that Government was engaged in a serious exercise and is in constant touch with the Centre to address all outstanding issues of the refugees. He said top officers of State Government are working out the modalities related to each issue. He said State Congress President, Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz is personally monitoring the progress of the outcome of discussion with the Central leadership which recently took place at Delhi.
Regarding issuing of Permanent Resident Certificates (PRCs) and Domicile Certificates to the refugees, Bhalla said that State Government will bring necessary amendment in the Constitution in the next Assembly Session to clear all hurdles related to this issue. The domicile certificate is an internal matter which would be sorted out shortly. He also assured that the Centre’s financial package will be implemented in letter and spirit and everyone will get his dues.
