NC holds public meeting at Bishnah

Fight for restoring statehood to J&K is first priority of NC: Babu Rampaul

JAMMU, March 23: Former Minister and President of National Conference Central Zone (Jammu, Samba & Kathua), Babu Rampaul today reiterated the stand of NC for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and said we would continue to raise pitch for same as this issue is directly affecting all its residents.

Babu Rampaul was addressing the gathering of party workers during a public meeting at Bishnah in Jammu district. He was the chief guest on the occasion and Ch Naresh Bittu, District President Jammu (Rural-B), presided over the meeting.

Raghubir Singh Manhas District, President Jammu (Rural-A), Dr Vikas Sharma, TR Mandi, Bharat Bushan, Rahul Mahajan, B.D Dalotra,  Kuldeev Sharma, S.Surjet Singh Sassan, Dr Gourav Bharat were guests of honour.

The public meeting was organized by Mohan Lal Sandhu, which was attended by a large number of people.

Babu Rampaul said, “We stand committed for secularism and social equality. The National Conference has a legacy of serving the poor and weaker sections of the society which was started by Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.”

While making comparative study of the regime of JKNC especially during the times of Sher-e-Kashmir Jb.Sheikh Mohd.Abdullah, Dr.Farooq Abdullah and Jb.Omar Abdullah in which lots of revolutionary steps in Jammu & Kashmir were initiated to inculcate the spirit of Unity, Integrity, Prosperity as well as brotherhood to work for overall development/welfare of the people of J&K, in general, and especially the downtrodden sections of the society in particular.

But with the obliteration of statehood and downgrading J&K to the level of Union Territory, the suffering of the people got multiplied with the public facing the wrath of inflation and high prices of daily use. The business community, small traders and commoners are all suffering due to policy paralysis and deep rooted corruption at all levels. Their sufferings can only be redressed by restoring statehood to J&K,” he asserted.

“Statehood must be restored to J&K before the announcement of elections so as to restore the confidence of people in democratic system,” he said.

Babu Rampaul flayed the UT administration for turning deaf ear to the problems of people residing in villages. He highlighted the issue of old age pension and mentioned that nearly 75 percent applications have not been touched whereas another 25 percent applications are under process and kept pending for want of several documents.

“The poor people are looking for govt support in the shape of an old age pension but the concerned officers are delaying the process in the garb of documents. I demand from the government to discard a long list of documents and make Aadhar Card the sole criteria for approving old-age pension,” he said.

He said that growing unemployment was a matter of great concern as the present regime has miserably failed to create job opportunities for the youth.

Babu Rampaul also said that before 5th August 2019 Jammu used to be called as City of temples when people were getting all basic facilities like drinking water, power and clean roads.

But, sadly, after August 5th 2019 Jammu city was painted as Smart City with people now facing tremendous problems with regard to drinking water supply, electricity as even roads connecting streets are in broken conditions. Instead different taxes are being imposed upon the public on the pretext of providing amenities, but there is none to listen for redressal of public grievances.

Also addressing the gathering, Ch. Naresh Bittu, District President, Jammu (Rural-B) reiterated his resolve to continue making efforts to consolidate the party in his area of operation. He also said, “We have to take the vision of our party leadership to every nook and corner of Jammu and Kashmir for its development and benefit of people.”

Also speaking on the occasion, Raghubir Singh Manhas, District President Jammu (Rural-A), said NC has many achievements in its kitty and urged the party cadres to narrate them to the young generation so that they may come to know what NC has did for them in the past.

While addressing the mammoth crowd Zonal Secretary Dr Vikas Sharma gave a call to youth of the region to come out of their comfort zones and launch a struggle for their rights under the banner of the National Conference. He mentioned that during the Jenab Omar Abdullah led NC government, jobs were provided to a large number of youth, RTI Act was enacted to eradicate corruption and several other revolutionary steps were taken to push J&K on the path of development. He expressed that NC will bring back the golden era for people of J&K.

Zonal Vice-President Thoru Ram Mandi highlighted that roads are in total dilapidated conditions, public facilities are lacking and peoplefacing difficulties in getting their work done in offices. He warned the administration to come out of their comfort zone and redress public grievances otherwise the NC cadre will launch sustained agitation.

Zonal Secretary Bharat Bushan  said that unemployment is at an all time high in the present scenario which is the root cause of depression and anxiety among the young generation following which it is becoming a drug addict.

S.Surjit Singh Sassan Zonal Secretary and Coordinator District Jammu (Rural-B) delivered the welcome address; Sham lal Sadotra Block President Bishnah was delivering the vote of thanks.

Prominent among others present included, Surinder Atri-Block Present Arnia, Dev Raj- Block Present R.S.Pura, Jatinder Singh Bittu- Block Present Suchetgarh, Balbir gupta, Smt Vimal Kour, Dr Gurdarshan Singh, Prof. Kuldip Singh Koushal,Rasphal and others.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)