J&K Congress organises Hath Se Hath Jodo Yatra in Katra to oppose Govt over Property Tax

Katra, March 10, 2023:- Congress today held “Hatha se Hath Jodo Abhyan from Shalimar Park to Bus Stand Katra,  to highlight the various issues of public concern , especially to oppose property tax, price rise,  unemployment and other problems faced by people. The programme was organized by District Congress Committee Reasi under the presidentship of Shri  Rajesh Sadhotra .

Led by President JKPCC  Shri Vikar Rasool Wani, Working President Raman Bhalla,   Dist. President Rajesh Sadshotra,  Hotel Association President Rakesh Wazir AICC Member Bhupinder Singh , DDC councilor Mohd Israel, Madan Lal Dogra, Raj Kumar, Anil Sharma , Abid Shahid, Jagdish Raj, Vickram, Jyoti Devi, Karan Thappa and others amidst raising slogans “ Property Tax Vapis Lo, Mehnghai Ko Kabu Karo Kabu Karo, Berozgari Dur Karo, besides Nafrat Chhodo-Bharat Jodo, the protestors carried play cards, nation flags and party flags. They marched from  Shalimar Park  and after passing through main bazaar reached  Bus Stand Katra  along with hundreds of workers.

Addressing the gathering at Bus Stand Katra PCC Chief Shri Vikar Rasool Wani said that the Hath se Hath Yatra cum agitation programme is the second phase of Bharat JodoYatra  which shall culminate at the end of this month, covering various districts and constituencies  of Jammu and Kashmir. He accused  NDA Govt at the Centre  and LG Administration in  the JK UT of ignoring critical issues of people  like inflation, sluggish economic growth and rising unemployment.

He lashed out the BJP for giving miseries to the people of Jammu and kashmir by downgrading the historical state, removal of rights to lands and jobs, imposing huge taxes and large scale unemployment and other arbitrary orders. The government fails to protect innocents especially minorities. He demanded restoration of statehood and early assembly elections . The decision of property tax should be left for the elected Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

Wani further said that people of the country are struggling with rising inflation and the youths are finding it difficult to get jobs. He said that there is a palpable economic crisis brewing – joblessness among the youth, unbearable price rise, severe farm distress, and a complete corporate capture of the country’s wealth.

“People are worried about losing their jobs, their incomes are falling further, and their dreams of a better future are shattering and there is a deep sense of hopelessness  amongst the people and through this programme, Congress party is duty bound to  highlight the various issues of people faced in different parts like imposition of property tax, snatching lands from poor through bulldozer, unprecedented price hike, record unemployment and other arbitrary orders of government.

JKPCC Working President Shri Raman Bhalla said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are suffering because BJP and we will expose this before the people of the JKUT. He lashed out at the government for the unprecedented price rise of all commodities especially LP gas, petrol, diesel, eatables making difficult for the poor to survive. The property tax imposed by the  LG administration on common people is another anti-people decision which should be withdrawn. 

launched a scathing attack against the government, saying India was no longer a democracy, but a dictatorship. “India is witnessing the death of democracy,” he said. “What India has built brick by brick, starting almost a century ago, is being destroyed in front of your eyes. Anybody who stands against this idea of onset of dictatorship is viciously attacked, jailed, arrested and beaten up.”

He accused the central government of making the lives of people miserable and betraying people. Shri Bhalla strongly opposed the property tax, eviction of poor and common man, check on price rise and rising unemployment and job scams. He expressed concern over continued targeted killings and arbitrary orders of UT administration. 

Raman Bhall also condemned the use of force on the  JKSSB aspirants who were protesting against hiring of Black listed company by the JKSSB for conducting written examination. It is not understood what are the interests are hidden for choosing a previously black listed Company. He urged upon the LG Administration to look into the matter personally, and take right decision, keeping in view the demands JKSSB aspirants.

Shri Rajesh Sadhotra, Rakesh Wazir and Bhupinder Singh highlighted the local problems like  “ Rope Way” from Katra to Bhawan and said that it would not be benefitted for the local people as well as the Yatries and demanded that work should be abandoned  immediately.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)