NC writes to Guv, says change to PRC rules to ‘distort demography of J&K’

Srinagar: Reacting to reports that the Governor administration is mulling changes to the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) rules, National Conference (NC) said this is an attempt to distort the demography of the state and would create mistrust among people.

In a letter to Governor Satya Pal Malik, NC Vice President Omar Abdullah said such a move can have serious ramifications for the prospective of peace and harmony in Jammu and Kashmir.

“My letter to @jandkgovernor on behalf of @JKNC_ placing on record our concern about reports of changes being proposed to the J&K permanent residents certificate rules,” Mr Abdullah, who is the former chief minister of the state, wrote on twitter along with the letter.

“We are obligated to write to you at a time when you are mulling changes to the permanent resident certificate rules. Our party, National Conference (NC), is of the opinion that this is an attempt to distort the demography of the state and finds it detrimental to J&K’s special status,” the letter said.

It said that the State Administrative Council (SAC) is unilaterally bringing changes in the working of institutions and procedures, a practice that is against the principles and spirit of democracy and participative governance.

“There are media reports that your administration is planning changes in the procedure for granting PRCs. The reports say that directions have already been issued to the concerned officials to make changes in the procedure pertaining to the issuance of these certificates,” it said.

The letter further said that the NC believes this is objectionable and condemnable. In Addition, it is a brazen act to further create mistrust among people here and can have serious ramifications for the prospective of peace and harmony in J&K.

“Moreover, this move comes at a time when the state does not have a popularly elected government. The assembly has been dissolved and elections are due within months. This makes the move of your administration open to question as we believe the role of the government is more in nature of caretaker government,” it said.

The letter said that J&K is a sensitive state and any misadventure by the SAC could disturb the fragile and precarious peace here. It is highly unfortunate that no wider consultations with any political party of the state and other stake holders were carried out.

“We hope that you rollback any decision made in this regard immediately. We also want to convey and register our displeasure and a unanimous decision to oppose this move,” it added.