Chenab Valley remains victim of discrimination, says committee

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 30

The All Party Action Committee, Chenab Valley Autonomous Hill Development Council, today said the Chenab Valley, which comprises three districts, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar, has always remained a victim of discrimination at the hands of successive governments.

A spokesman for the committee said under the umbrella of the Chenab Valley Autonomous Hill Development Council, there should be three independent hill councils, one each of Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts. It added that these councils should function independently without any dependence on any other council on the Leh and Kargil pattern.

He said once the councils were established, they could impose levy on outgoing wealth from the Chenab Valley, which could be utilised for raising infrastructure under the health, education, horticulture, agriculture, tourism and other sectors.

“We appeal to the people of the Chenab Valley to rise above their personal or political interests without any prejudice, caste, creed and colour in the larger interest of peace and prosperity of our generation to come. Let us join hands and fight for cause of the grant of working of the Chenab Valley Hill Development Council on the Leh and Kargil pattern,” a statement said.