‘Surprised by inclusion in job panel’

A Kashmiri member of an expert group formed by the Prime Minister to formulate a comprehensive job plan for Jammu and Kashmir has expressed surprise over his nomination to the panel.

A Kashmiri member of an expert group formed by the Prime Minister to formulate a comprehensive job plan for Jammu and Kashmir has expressed surprise over his nomination to the panel.

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Shakeel Qalandar, president of the Federation Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) and a furniture businessman, has reportedly said he was “neither consulted nor his consent taken” before his name was included in the committee.

Sources in the state government attributed Qalandar’s statement to the “fear of retribution” in Kashmir, which is witnessing violence since June 11.

“He was informed about the decision well in advance. In fact, we are surprised over his statement,” a senior state government official said.

At his meeting with the all-party delegation from Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, Manmohan Singh had announced the setting up of the expert group, headed by his economic advisory council chief Dr C. Rangarajan.

The other members of the panel are Infosys founding chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy, former chief mentor of Confederation of Indian Industries Tarun Das, P. Nanda Kumar and a representative of the state government.

Qalandar said the federation had been in touch with both the Jammu and Kashmir government and the Centre over issues such as water and revival of small scale industries.

“Though FCIK has been in touch with the governments, at this juncture the Prime Minister should have addressed the political alienation of the Kashmir valley,” he reportedly said.

Qalandar said the FCIK executive body would soon discuss the inclusion of his name in the expert group.