Callous BJP Govt has left people of J&K in complete despair: Bhalla

Demands immediate rescue operations in wind storm affected areas                   

JAMMU, June 18: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Sunday said that statehood is the biggest issue of J&K and the Congress will do everything possible to grant statehood to J&K. Congress Party is with the people of J&K and will do everything to make sure that J&K gets full Statehood,” he said while interacting with aggrieved people of Seora Panchayat and adjoining areas on Sunday . Prominent among those present on the occasion include Rinku Langeh, Gurnam Singh, Jagjit Singh,  Ghara Singh, Lakhvinder Singh, Monohar Lal Mottan,  Deepu Sarpanch ,Murad Ali, Miya Choudhary besides others.He said BJP snatched rights and statehood of the people and since then outsiders are ruling J&K while the administration doesn’t listen to people’s problems.Locals losing jobs and unemployment in J&K, especially in Jammu is highest in the country.

Bhalla said the entire trade in J&K is controlled by the outsiders and there is no one to listen to peoples’ problems. He also castigated the J&K administration for the plight of poor people. “In J&K, the land of poor people is being taken away and there is no one to listen to their concern,” he said.He also said that people of J&K had very little options as far as employment is concerned and the Agniveer Yojna deprived them of even the opportunity of joining the Army.Former Minister accused BJP Govt of having failed to address the problems of the people of the state and said that the miseries of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have increased manifolds after they cheated people of Jammu.

While attacking the NDA government at the centre, Bhalla said that since the change of guard happened in New Delhi, the prices of essential commodities have increased manifold.”The prices of pulses have increased and it has become difficult for not only the poor but also the middle class to afford pulses. The ever increasing inflation is taking a toll on the common masses of this country,” he said.Bhalla said different decision regarding Jammu and Kashmir has been taken in the past 70 years by the Congress but every time the stakeholders were taken on board,” he said. “The government is viewing the situation through its own mirror otherwise everyone knows how better the situation is in J&K.  

 Bhalla asked the Central Government when it would ensure a congenial atmosphere for elections to take place in Jammu and Kashmir and elect a Government of the people in the state.He also accused the BJP of failing to read the pulse of J&K people and said it cannot shun and run away from owning the responsibility of creating this mess and back-stabbing the people of Jammu and Kashmir.“The directionless, agenda-less and clueless policy of the BJP Government has left the people of Jammu and Kashmir in complete despair and this is a grave national concern. BJP Govt lacks economic roadmap for inclusion and progress for the people of J&K,” said former Minister.

Bhalla said soaring unemployment in J&K is a serious concern. The ongoing uncertainty has severely damaged the prospect of a stable economy. And the rising unemployment puts the final nail in the coffin of economic stability. The job markets have been pushed to the edge, both in the public and private sector, with no fresh opportunities visible. As J&K doesn’t have a vibrant private sector in place, the burden of employment ultimately falls on the public sector, which, unfortunately, it is unable to tackle as the absorption rate is low, he said.

The Government and its various departments do not seem, at all, serious about these rising figures. There are not enough or even requisite posts advertised in the Government departments, and even, if advertised, they are never worked out effectively, lack of proper schedules and criteria, relapsing of the advertisements as per their whims, corruption, backdoor entries, favouritism etc. are the main loopholes, Bhalla added.Bhalla said that economy of J&K UT has been badly hit and unemployment being the major debacle as it concerns the youth of the society who are the pillars of a nation. However, on account of rising unemployment despite professional degrees, skill training, and education from top-notch universities in the country and abroad, the youth of Jammu and Kashmir are beset in a terrible crisis. Bhalla said BJP should take the responsibility for the present situation in the state.

Meanwhile Bhalla demanded immediate restoration of electricity in affected areas after wind storm.He said that today’s wind storm has uprooted trees and electricity poles at several locations and apprehended losses to the property.“The wind storm has caused damage to the electricity supply system because the electricity poles and wires were seen scattered posing threat to the lives in several areas,” said the former Minister.He said that the authorities should immediately take prompt action and replace the uprooted poles, and fix the wires properly to avoid any untoward incident.As far as restoration of electricity is concerned, he said that the electricity has been snapped in many areas and it must be restored immediately.“If the electricity is not restored, the drinking water supply system will also continue to remain affected especially during the summer season,” he said.  He said that temporary shelter (Kulaa) of Murad Ali and Miya Choudhary totally damaged in wind storm should be supported to raise shelter amidst scorching heat.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED