“Youth holds potential to bring change in system’: Ex-Minister Babu Rampaul

NC terms Property Tax ‘arbitrary’ and ‘anti-people’

JAMMU, February 22: Former Minister and Zonal President JKNC, Babu Rampaul has castigated the UT administration of J&K for making the lives of people miserable with its host of anti-people policies and decisions.

Rampaul was addressing a programme where scores of youth joined NC, who was chief guest on the occasion. The programme was organized under the leadership of National Conference Zonal Secretary & Coordinator Jammu District (Urban), Dr Vikas Sharma.

He appealed to the youth of J&K to come forward and launch a movement for “Parivartan” and restoration of elected political dispensation in J&K which is being denied to people of J&K on different pretexts.

He said, “Inflation is skyrocketing as the price of all essential commodities has peaked in J&K. All the small and medium businesses have been destroyed and overall the economy is stuck somewhere as no new investments are made in J&K.”

Blaming the Centre govt for complete mess in J&K post August 5, 2019 when its special status was removed and it was downgraded to the level of Union Territory, he said, “Unemployment rate is the highest in J&K and there is lack of transparency in recruitment processes owing to which youth has turned pessimistic and suffering from depression. Their families are also under depressive state of mind and staring at dark future.”

Dr. Vikas Sharma also addressed the youth, severely criticized the decision of UT administration to charge property tax from people from 1st of April, 2023. “Why LG administration is deliberate to impose property tax? Why can’t they wait for installation of popular government in J&K and why he is in such a hurry, he asked.

“These ‘arbitrary’ and ‘anti-people’ orders are not the right way to go ahead. Such decisions are best left to an elected government,” he said.

“The economic condition of the people of J-K is not good. Right from 2019, the condition has gone from bad to worse. Such a decision is to be taken by an elected government, not by bureaucrats. Elsewhere in the country, such taxes are to be passed by the general council of Municipal bodies. This tax has not been brought to the Municipality General Council,” he added.

Dr Sharma demanded that this notification should be immediately taken back otherwise people will take to streets against the government.

(NOTE: PRESS RELEASE PUBLISHED AS RECEIVED)