Following long-stretched criticism of the alleged move of the State Administrative Council (SAC) to make procedural changes in the grant of Permanent Resident Certificate (PRC) to the bonafide residents of Jammu and Kashmir, Governor Satyapal Malik has asked the National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah “not to pay heed to such frivolous and unfounded reports. In fact, you have an obligation to dispel rather than promote unnecessary mistrust among people.”

Some Kashmir-centric politicians had accused the Governor of trying to alter the demography of the state by making changes in the PRC rules.

In a letter, Malik told Omar on Sunday night, “As a senior political leader, I would request you not to pay heed to such frivolous and unfounded reports. In fact, you have an obligation to dispel rather than promote unnecessary mistrust among people and are always welcome to discuss issues with me, which you have been doing once in a while.”

Reacting to the Governor’s reply, Omar in a series of tweets said; ”I’m pleased to note no changes are being proposed to the PRC rules.”

Fax received from ⁦@jandkgovernor⁩ Malik Sahib which I’m sharing here. I’m pleased to note no changes are being proposed to the PRC certificate rules. pic.twitter.com/7jWLgDm0Zm

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 2, 2018

“This is how a mature democracy functions-we flag our concerns with the person in authority & those concerns are addressed. When we can’t meet face to face we use technology. I’m grateful to @jandkgovernor Malik sb for his timely & detailed reply.”

This is how a mature democracy functions – we flag our concerns with the person in authority & those concerns are addressed. When we can’t meet face to face we use technology. I’m grateful to @jandkgovernor Malik Sb for his timely & detailed reply.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 2, 2018

Omar said, “Malik Sb’s assurance of consultation with stake holders is an important one. I believe a regular mechanism of discussion/consultation will be beneficial to the state as we move closer to elections.”

@jandkgovernor Malik Sb’s assurance of consultation with stake holders is an important one. I believe a regular mechanism of discussion/consultation will be beneficial to the state as we move closer to elections.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) December 2, 2018

The Governor made it clear that the state government is not making or even considering any changes to the Act governing PRC in the state. “It is an integral part of the legal structure of Jammu & Kashmir and there is no attempt whatsoever to tamper with this law,” the Governor said in a communication to the former Chief Minister.

Pertinently, earlier during the day, Omar Abdullah had in a letter addressed to the Governor brought to his notice some media reports that the Governor’s Administration was planning changes in the procedure for granting PRCs seeking rollback of, if any decision, taken in this regard.

Governor has in his detailed reply to Omar reiterated that no changes in the procedural rules governing the issue of PR certificates will ever be done without larger consultations with all stakeholders. “Consultations are essential so as to avoid any unnecessary apprehensions in the minds of anyone.”

“I may like to point out here to you that seeking a PRC is one of the services under the Jammu and Kashmir Public Services Guarantee Act of 2011. As per this Act, a PRC by a genuine state subject applicant should be obtained within a period of 30 days from the date of application. It has been observed that many genuine applicants face avoidable difficulties in getting a PRC within these timelines. There have also been complaints that the issuance of these certificates gets delayed due to a variety of procedural reasons. It is in this context of having a hassle free process for bonafide applicants that I believe the Revenue Department has sought comments from a few others. This is a routine administrative matter and unnecessary meanings should not be read into it and are always welcome to discuss issues with me, which you have been doing once in a while.”