JAMMU: Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh on Sunday visited the residence of Rakesh Pandita chairman, Tral, Pulwama Municipal Council who was killed by terrorists four days back in his native town Tral. Dr Jitendra Singh accompanied by Kashmir BJP displaced district president, Chand Ji Bhat and Tral Prabhandak Committee president, Chuni Lal Bhat visited the residence of late councilor at Roop Nagar this morning and expressed his deepest sympathy with bereaved family.
Assuring them all help and support at the Government and party level, Dr Jitendra Singh however said the loss of life suffered by the family can’t be compensated by any means as it was irreparable. But party and Government fully stands with the family in this hour of tragedy and grief, he added. He said Rakesh was a hardworking activist of the party who during his short stint as the Chairman of Municipal Committee Tral worked with great dedication and zeal for the development of the township and betterment of the people of the area. His sudden killing is a great loss to the party. Later, Dr Jitendra Singh discussed the issue with BJP J&K UT general secretary (Org) Ashok Kaul. He was told that Rs one lakh ex-gratia was announced by the Government while Rs 25 lakh as insurance for Corporators made by the Government, will also be released soon. Besides, the party will also provide reasonable compensation to the family which lost its lone bread earner, he added. Terming Rakesh as party colleague, Dr Jitendra Singh said he was an emerging voice of the nationalist forces who was martyred and his loss is irreparable.
He also assured the family that its job for the son of martyr who is studying in class 12th will be given after completion of his education. The family members informed the Union Minister of their plight saying that Rakesh was its lone bread earner whose father had passed away over a fortnight back and he had to support an mentally retarded brother and ailing mother besides his own family. The family members including J L Pandita a BJP leader and uncle of Councilor demanded support from Government as well as the party for its sustenance and survival.
However the Minister assured all help and support both on Government as well as party level and said that he will himself pursue their case in Union Home Ministry also.
