All J&K Christian Sabha delegation calls on Lt Guv, raises various demands

A delegation of All J&K Christian Sabha on Monday called on Lt Governor G C Murmu here and raised various demands including representation in political and urban local bodies, a Raj Bhavan spokesman said.

The delegation, led by Sabha president Ashu Peter Mattoo, presented to the lieutenant governor a charter of demands, which also included the constitution of Christian Welfare Board and allotment of land for graveyard in Jammu west.

The charter also included demands for allotment of land for a housing colony and houses under PMAY, besides accommodation for Safai Karamcharis, the spokesman said.

He said the delegation also demanded its representation in political and educational bodies besides the urban local bodies and various governmental boards and commissions.

They also urged for providing benefits of various government schemes and reservation of seats to Christian aspirants in government colleges and in various competitive exams, the spokesman said.

While interacting with them, the lieutenant governor assured them to examine the genuine issues projected by them for their redressal.

Separate delegations of Save Animals Value Environment (SAVE) and National Institute of Sports (NIS)-trained coaches also met Murmu at the Raj Bhavan and highlighted their issues, the spokesman said.

He said the SAVE delegation led by its senior vice president Devinder Kaur Madaan urged the LG for implementation of necessary reforms to improve the condition of street animals and livestock in the Union Territory.

The delegation also demanded the provision of shelter and ambulance in each district for rescue and rehabilitation of abandoned, abused, injured or disabled animals, besides implementation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act in letter and spirit, the spokesman said.

The delegation of NIS-trained coaches, led by former legislator Vikram Randhawa, demanded utilisation of their sports skills to uplift the sports culture in the region.

They told the LG that a number of sports persons from Jammu and Kashmir were trained from NIS, Patiala and later engaged as community coaches by the government in their respective districts but even after giving good results, J&K Sports Council discontinued their services without any justification, the spokesman said.