New Delhi, July 15:- A delegation of prominent Kashmiri Pandit leaders met Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister for Home, Power & Urban Development Ashish Sood at the Delhi Secretariat on Monday to discuss long-pending issues concerning the community, including the halted Cash Assistance and AMR-related anomalies.
The delegation, led by Ravinder Pandita (President, All India Kashmiri Samaj – AIKS), included Padma Shri awardee Ramesh Bamzai (KECSS), Sanjay Ganjoo (JKVM), senior BJP leaders Ashwani Chrungoo and Monika Pandita, along with activists Ashish Zutshi and Ramesh Tikoo.
During the meeting, the delegation raised concerns over the stoppage of monthly cash assistance to displaced Kashmiri Pandit families for over a year, citing bureaucratic delays and anomalies in verification processes. They also discussed issues related to the Aadhar-Matching Requirements (AMR) that have led to exclusion from welfare benefits.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta gave a patient hearing and assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up urgently. She directed the Divisional Commissioner and concerned officials to bring the case to the notice of the Cabinet in the upcoming meeting.
Earlier in the day, Ravinder Pandita of the Save Sharda Committee presented Sharda shawls to CM Gupta and Minister Sood as a gesture of goodwill and formally invited them to the annual Sharda Divas celebrations scheduled for August 31 at the historic Sharda Temple in Teetwal.
This marked the first official engagement between the Kashmiri Pandit community and the new Chief Minister since she assumed office earlier this year. The community expressed hope that the meeting would pave the way for tangible relief and continued engagement on their concerns.(CNS)
