Pahalgam ponywallah’s widow gets Govt job
Aishmuqam, Jun 14: The government Saturday provided a job to the wife of Syed Adil Shah, a local pony ride operator who died while saving tourists during the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha handed over the appointment letter to Shahís widow, Gulnaz Akhter, at their home in Hapatnar village of Aishmuqam in south Kashmirís Anantnag district.
After meeting the family and residents, LG Sinha told reporters that the appointment was a gesture of gratitude for Shahs bravery.
ìGulnaz Akhter has been given a permanent job in the Fisheries Department in Anantnag. This is a mark of gratitude from the administration,î he said. ìWe have spoken to the family and villagers, who also requested more employment opportunities in the region. The administration will address that in the coming days.î
The LG said the government had already provided financial assistance to Shahís family.
He was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Anantnag, Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi; DIG South Kashmir, Javed Matoo, and SSP Anantnag Amritpal Singh.
In a post on the microblogging site X, LG Sinha said: ìMet the family members of martyr Syed Adil Hussain at Anantnag. Handed an appointment letter to his wife, Gulnaz Akhter, on compassionate grounds. The whole country is proud of the bravery of Adil, who sacrificed his life while protecting tourists at Pahalgam on April 22.î
Akhter expressed her gratitude to the LG.
ìThough Adil wonít come back, his memory will live with us. I am indebted to the LG for being compassionate,î she said.
Meanwhile, an official spokesman in a statement issued here said that the LG appointed Akhter as Class-IV (MTS) in the District Cadre, Anantnag, in the Fisheries Department.
The appointment of Akhter has been made by the LG in the exercise of the discretionary powers conferred under Clause-2A of J&K Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme, 2022 in relaxation of her educational qualification.
As per clause 2A of J&K Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme-2022, the LG in exceptional circumstances may appoint the dependent family member of a civilian, who has died as a result of militancy or terrorist-related action or due to law and order situation or due to enemy action and who is not involved in militancy related activity, in government service.
The conferment of relaxation of age and qualification for appointment under J&K Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme-2022 solely lies with the LG.
The appointment of Akhter has been made by the LG under exceptional circumstances as her husband was a civilian and not a government employee.
Further, the appointment has been made in relaxation of her educational qualification.
There is no role of the Fisheries Department in granting relaxation as well as appointment in the instant case.
Acknowledging the sacrifice of Adil Hussain Shah during the terrorist attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, the LG in exercise of the discretionary powers considered the appointment of the wife of the slain civilian in relaxation of her educational qualification, so that it brings succour to the family.
Last month, Shahís brother, Nazakat Shah was also provided a job in the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board at the Aishmuqam shrine.
The appointment letter was handed over by J&K Waqf Board Chairperson Darakhshan Andrabi.
At least 26 people, including Shah, were killed in the April 22 attack at the Baisaran meadow.
