Hilly, rural areas confronting development deficit under J&K Govt: Rattan Lal

BATOTE, Sep 12: The hilly, rural and far off areas are being discriminated badly by the present government, which is busy in developing unproductive projects and wasting public exchequer.  

This was stated by Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President, Jammu, J&K National Conference, while addressing party workers meeting at Batote in district Ramban. He was accompanied by several party functionaries during his visit to district Ramban including Sheikh Bashir Ahmed and Pardeep Bali Provincial Secretaries.

The senior NC leader observed that the ground situation in context with the development in the rural and hilly belts is pathetic as people are craving for basic amenities. He said that people are confronting development deficit but the government is busy in spreading false narrative of colossal development in far off belts of J&K, which is a white lie as on ground people are facing multiple problems with no solution in sight. He said that neglect of hilly terrains is visible on ground but the government is trumpeting development, development and development day in and day out. 

The meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Sajjad Shaheen, District President Ramban, during which he shed light on the unfair treatment faced by the people of Batote. He apprised the senior functionaries of the Party that the people are facing shortage of drinking water and electricity. He mentioned that despite the Sher-e-Kashmir Emergency Hospital having a capacity for 13 doctors; only 2 doctors are presently serving. Furthermore, the youth in the district of Ramban are being overlooked for employment opportunities in national projects presently running in district Ramban. He also pointed out that the Patnitop Development Authority is working against the interests of the people as they are unable to freely construct their residential houses.

Rattan Lal criticised the present government for its failure to stand on the expectations of people of Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed great disappointment against the LG’s administration for their alleged failure to develop tourist spots in the Ramban district. He also raised serious concern over the incompetence of the local Municipal Committee Batote which has miserably failed to provide basic amenities to the local residents. 

The senior NC leader asked the government to prioritize local youth in the ongoing national projects within District Ramban to address the problems being faced by youth due to highest ever employment in J&K. He further asked government to construct a tunnel from Tringula to Kud for smooth functioning of traffic of local populace.

The Provincial President emphasized that only National Conference can bail out people from this misery as castles of development made by J&K Government in air are distant apart from reality. He called upon party workers to gear up for the upcoming polls. He stressed upon the need of unity and dedication to overcome obstacles and ensure the success of the party.

 Dr.  Shamshad Shan, DDC Chairperson of Ramban, voiced her disappointment with the lack of support from the government. She criticized the administration’s delaying tactics, which have resulted in hindrances to various developmental projects in the district.

Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Pardeep Bali Provincial Secretaries, Shamim Akther DDC Member, Abid Magrey District Vice President Ramban and Arif Mir District Secretary Ramban said that wrong decisions of government have made the lives of people a virtual hell therefore people should support NC to ensure public welfare and a meaningful life. They said National Conference is a secular party and only it will fulfill the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Among those who were present include Nafid Mir, Raja Arshad Ali, Amar Chand, Ravinder Singh, Babar Malik, Adil Mir, Zatuan Akther, Pooja Jaggi and other functionaries of District, Blocks and Halqa.