Signifying the non-seriousness of JK’s successive regimes towards protecting the state subject laws, the governments have been sleeping over the past 15 years on extending the term of Commission of Inquiry (CoI) constituted to look into the issuance of Permanent Resident Certificates to non-state subjects.The government has said that it has not extended the term of CoI beyond December 31, 2000.
“The date of expiry of the Commission was 31.12. 2000 as provided in the SRO-248 of July 26, 2000,” reveals a document of State Revenue department.
The CoI was constituted in 1999 following protests in the Assembly over non-state subjects managing to get the PRCs in the State, particularly in Jammu region.
Officials told that non-extension of CoI since 2000 is a serious lapse on part of the state administration.
“This shows carelessness on part of the General Administration Department and Revenue Department,” an official said.
“The GAD had constituted the CoI while Revenue department is servicing it.”
The official said the CoI- presently working under former High Court Judge A. Q. Parrey- is still alive but extending its term was must under the Commission of Inquiry Act.
“The government can extend its term retrospectively. The government has to issue a notification under CoI Act to cover the previous period,” he suggested.
The disclosure comes at a time when state government has put on hold the Revenue Department’s decision to cancel Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC) issued to 130 non-state subjects. Overruling the Revenue Department, the General Administration Department put the decision in abeyance on June 26 this year.
The Revenue Department—after getting approval from its Minister Javaid Mustafa Mir— had decided to cancel the PRCs issued to 130 persons.
“The government, after having duly considered the reports of the Commission submitted on 28. 01. 2011, 08.03.2012 and 01.03.2013, has accepted its findings along with the recommendations and decided that PRC of the persons who have been declared as non-permanent residents shall be cancelled besides initiating consequential action in terms of Rule 8 of JK Grant of PRC (procedure) Rules 1968,” read the order issued by the Revenue Department.
