Exposes BJP’s apathy toward rural populace of J&K: Rattan Lal Gupta

JAMMU, Dec 12: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), today strongly criticized the BJP Govt at the Centre, accusing it of misleading the public with hollow claims of “unprecedented development” while failing to utilize over Rs 1100 crore allocated under critical rural development schemes in Jammu and Kashmir. He termed this as a glaring example of administrative inefficiency and lack of accountability, further exposing the BJP’s apathy toward the rural populace of J&K.  

Citing report of a local daily, Rattan Lal Gupta pointed out that the unspent funds amounting to Rs 1100 crore under various flagship schemes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), reveal the BJP’s failure to address the pressing needs of rural areas.

“The BJP government’s rhetoric of development stands exposed by these shocking figures. While the government boasts of progress, the reality is that rural households in Jammu and Kashmir are deprived of basic amenities, employment opportunities, and infrastructure due to the non-utilization of funds meant for their welfare,” he added.  

“This consistent inability to manage and allocate resources effectively not only highlights administrative incompetence but also deprives the rural population of their rightful access to development and welfare benefits,” he said. He stressed that such inefficiencies undermine the purpose of flagship schemes meant to uplift marginalized communities, leaving them to struggle with unmet needs and unfulfilled promises.

The senior NC leader called upon the BJP government to take responsibility for this mismanagement and demanded immediate steps to ensure the timely and effective utilization of these funds. “The people of J&K deserve governance that delivers, not empty promises,” he added.

The Provincial President appealed to the Omar Abdullah-led Government to take serious note of these pressing issues and work towards fixing responsibility for such lapses. He urged the party to prioritize efficient governance and ensure that funds meant for the welfare of the people are utilized effectively and transparently. “It is imperative to hold those accountable who fail to deliver on promises of development, so that the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are not betrayed,” he asserted.

Mr Gupta appealed to the Prime Minister  of India and Home Minister of India to restore Statehood immediately without any further delay as promised by you both because the dual power cannot work in such sensitive and border areas as the people of Jammu and Kashmir are suffering due to such a dual mechanism.