J&K: Ashok Kumar, Former MLA from Ramban in an extensive tour to Dessa Valley, strongly demanded to the Government of India at centre for the protection of rights, regularisation, social security and promotion of all left out members of VDCs to the rank of SPOs. He urged upon the Government of India to immediately provide the pending honorarium to the VDCs memebrs which is pending from last 4 years. VDCs were setup in mid 1990s in Chenab Valley to arm and train villagers to defence against the Pakistan sponsored militants.
Ashok, while interacting with VDCs members in Thana Nagri village in Dessa valley said government’s inadequate treatment to the members of Village Defence Committee, who always stand firm to protect the soul of our country during peak of insurgency and political turmoil is worrisome. Moreover, many young members of the VDCs had sacrificed their precious lives for the cause of nation during peak of insurgency in J&K.
Ashok said the government lacks in proper planning of village defence committee as there are eight members in a VDC and three of its members, which are called SPOs, are getting wages at the rate of Rs 18,000 per month, but the VDC component of VDCs have not been paid any wages in the last four years is a great injustice to remaining VDCs members. He strongly demanded regularisation of the left out members of Village Defence Committee members.
Ashok further alleged that while all the Village Defence committee members of Kashmir region have been promoted to the rank of SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir police. He questioned the government why there is discrimination with the left out VDCs members of Chenab valley who played a crucial role in fighting terrorism and strongly defended villages of Chenab valley.
