Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 25: Congress Party today announced to support bandh call on Aug 26 to seek unconditional release of detained YRS leaders, abolishing of Sarore Toll Plaza, besides on the issue of Smart Meters and Property Tax.
This was announced here today on behalf of the party by JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma in a press briefing at party headquarters in the afternoon. He was flanked by senior Congress leaders Vinod Sharma Incharge headquarters, Ved Mahajan Ex-MLC, Kapil Singh spokesperson, Neeraj Gupta PCC secretary and I/C Media Coordination.
Extending whole hearted support to the bandh call, Ravinder Sharma termed the arrest and detention of YRS leaders as illegal and arbitrary in view of the hostile attitude of the LG administration towards the people’s protests on genuine issues.
Displaying the paper cuttings of the announcement of Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, in response to question by the Congress MP Jebi Mathur in Lok Sabha last year, Sharma said that the minister had committed in the Parliament to remove the Toll Plazas, within less than 60 kms distance in three months. Even after lapse of one year & five months, the announcement has not been implemented, so far.
Sharma said last year too, transporters and Congress party had launched an agitation at Sarore Toll Plaza for its removal but government remained adamant.
Now the Yuva Rajput Sabha launched a movement to seek implementation of the ministers’ announcement, in this regard, particularly after the bride at Tarnah, was washed away and the travel time between Kathua & Jammu is more than four hours. Unfortunately they have been booked and detained which reflects the approach of the administration with the peace loving people of Jammu.
Castigating BJP for its total failure to protect the rights and interests of people in the bureaucratic regime, which follows only, the directions of the centre government , he said where should people go, when there is none to represent them. He reminded BJP that Sarore Toll Plaza was abandoned on the protest of BJP but installed by them as soon they came to power.
Lashing out at the government over the issue of Smart Meters and Property Tax, he said that Congress party is already on the roads to highlight these issues of general public concern but the administration is totally adamant. The people of Jammu are facing heat on every front in the wake of unprecedented taxes amidst record inflation and unemployment.
The party has appealed to the general public to fully support the bandh call, till the genuine demands of public general are conceded.
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