Punjab to reconsider POW Major's wife for allotment of land

CHANDIGARH: Finally, a ray of hope for Jasbir Kaur wife of Major Kanwaljit Singh, who is missing since 1971 Indo-Pak war, as the Punjab government has decided to reconsider her case for allotment of cultivable land to her under special rules meant for martyr of Indo-Pak war.
Earlier the Punjab government had informed the Punjab and Haryana high court that Major Kanwaljit Singh who is went missing during 1971 war with Pakistan, cannot be treated as martyr.
State was arguing that death of Major Kawaljit Singh has not been declared by the Army till date and he is still in the custody of Pakistan.
Thus, the Jasbir’s case cannot be considered for allotment of cultivable land to her, till the death of her husband is confirmed by the Army Authority. The reply was filed by the state in response to a Jasbir Kaur’s petition seeking allotment of land under the policy.
When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, the counsel for Punjab government submitted before the court that the state would consider Jasbir Kaur’s case in view od letter of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi written on February 3, 1973 and another letter from army head quarters written on January 25, 1973 to Jasbir Kaur condoling the death of Major Kanwaljit Singh.
Indira Gandhi, in a hand written letter in Hindi, addressed to Jasbir Kaur, had observed therein that “the entire country is with you in your hour of shock and grief and crores of Indian brothers were indebited to Major Kanwaljit Singh, who sacrificed his life for the defence of the Nation.”.
Jasbir Kaur had moved the HC seeking directions to Punjab government to honour him by allotting cultivable land up to 10 acres to her, under Rule 4 of Punjab Package Deal Properties (Disposal) Rules, 1976.
Under the said Rules, Punjab had offered to give up to 10 acres of cultivable land to the legal heirs of the Army personnel who were killed during wars with China or Pakistan.
Major Kanwaljit Singh was also an awardee of Shaurya Chaka — country’s third highest gallantry award, for displaying gallantry and initiative of high order on February 2, 1971, when a grenade attack by the Pakistani soldiers was repelled by him, and he was badly injured.
Major Kanwaljit Singh is believed to have been captured from Husainiwala sector on December 3, 1971 during the Indo-Pak war.