STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: A deputation of State Government employees belonging to displaced Kashmiri Pandit (KP) community on Sunday called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh and sought his intervention for issue of necessary orders from the State Government for release of 10 months’ earned leave encashment due to them at the time of retirement.
In a memorandum submitted to Dr Jitendra Singh, the deputation explained that even after 25 years of displacement from Kashmir Valley, they are still deprived of this privilege which is normally available to every government employee. They said that in the last 25 years, the community had made itself available for each and every duty assigned adding that even today they were under assignment of being on duty for the Assembly election vote counting on December 23, 2014.
Giving a patient hearing, Singh said that this was a case of blatant discrimination against a section of government employees. “Such callousness on the part of government not only create unrest among the employees but also creates divisions among different groups of employees”, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that it is not only a violation of the terms and conditions under which a government engages an employee but this is also a violation of law and may not even stand the test of legal scrutiny. “Such anomaly, therefore, needs to be redressed without any further delay”, he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh said that at a time when the Narendra Modi government at the Centre is trying its best to address the grievances of every section of refugees and displaced communities in Jammu and Kashmir, it is appalling that the State Government creates yet another issue of contention among a section of displaced community.
Ashwani Charungoo, President, Panun Kashmir, who led the delegation, said that he will appropriately follow-up the matter as advised by the minister.