Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice, Abdul Haq Khan on Thursday calls on Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh and discussed various issues including development scenario of J&K and facilities being provided to the JK students studying in Chhattisgarh besides their safety and security.Minister for Rural Development, Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Chandrakar, Minister for Commercial Tax, Urban Administration, Backward Classes, Amar Agarwal and Minister for Minorities Development and School Education, Kedarnath Kashyap were also present on the occasion. The Minister was accompanied by Mission Director Chhattisgarh SRLM Deepak Soni, Mission Director JKSRLM Bakshi Javid Hamayan, Additional Mission Director JKSRLM Kapil Sharma, Joint Director Chhattisgarh SRLM, Suresh Tripathi and other senior officers of J&K and Chhattisgarh state.On the occasion Abdul Haq informed the Chief Minister about the impacts of the negative portrayal of J&K state by a section of media. He said the negative primary victims of the negative portrayal have been the students studying in various states of the country. He appealed the Chief Minister to assist the state government in removing this stereotype created among the masses about the state. He said the frequent exchange programs of students will help the people of the state to know each other.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Raman Singh said the students of Kashmir are guests of the Chhattisgarh government and it will ensure their safety and security during their stay in the state. He said the students should not feel that they are away from the home as they are equal citizens of the nation and are a part of our family.Dr Singh assured the minister that he will personally meet the students so that they feel government is acting as the guardian and the care-taker of the Kashmiri students besides assuring their safety and security.Castigating certain sections of electronic media, the Minister said unfortunately some media channels are hell bent to portray Kashmir in a negative way by blowing minor issues out of proportion. He appealed media to be part of the solution, instead of fuelling trouble, by facilitating in bridging the gap thereby connecting people and helping in addressing the alienation of Kashmiri youth.Earlier the minister interacted with the members of Panchayats of Chhattisgarh state at Hamar Chhattisgarh (Our Chhattisgarh) House. While interacting with the Panchayat members, Minister said the Panchayats act as the mini-Parliaments and urged the members to work for the development of their respective villages. He said the development of a village guarantees a developed society and country as maximum people live in rural areas. The minister also visited the Museum and photo exhibition showcasing the journey of Chhattisgarh state towards development.