E-Paper
J&K Opposition slams Permanent Resident bill
Some members of the opposition parties staged a walkout from Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to protest a bill that seeks to annul the permanent resident status of women who marry outside the state, reports Tarun Upadhyay.
Some members of the opposition parties staged a walkout from Jammu and Kashmir Assembly to protest a Bill that seeks to annul the permanent resident status of women who marry outside the state.
The Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) Amendment Bill, moved by a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the Upper House, was accepted by the National Conference-led government for discussion.
But the BJP, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and Jammu State Morcha (JSM) said the Bill was discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Only permanent residents of the state are issued PRC. The Bill aims at cancelling the PRCs of women who marry anyone who is not a PRC holder, whether living in the state or outside.
They will cease to have the right to government jobs and property, and their children won't be allowed to study in professional colleges of the state.
"The Bill is discriminatory and will be opposed by this party," said JSM member Ashwami Sharma.
A similar bill had been introduced in the Upper House in 2004. But the Congress party had opposed it and the Bill was deferred for further discussion.
