Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 8: Accusing BJP of betraying Jammuites, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, Tara Chand today said that the Coalition Government in the State has played a cruel joke with the farming community by compensating them in between Rs 32 to Rs 113 for the crop damages.
Addressing a workers rally in border village of Garad Sainth in Khour in connect with his mass contact programme Tata Chand said, more than 70% population in Jammu and Kashmir is dependent on agriculture. The distribution of compensation cheques by State Government in between minimum Rs 32 and maximum Rs 113 to the farmers for the agricultural losses they suffered due to worst ever flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir is a cruel joke with the poor farmers.
He added that people had suffered losses worth thousands of rupees as floods in river Chenab battered thousands of acres of farm land whereas, the State Government, by assessing the loses in between Rs 32 and Rs 113 per family has added salt to their wounds.
“Where are the ‘so called’ saviours (BJP leadership) of Jammu province now who had promised a lot during campaigning for the Legislative Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir? When the ‘Achey Din’ of public will come?” Tara Chand questioned.
The former DyCM also raised doubt over the criminal silence of BJP leadership for shelving various developmental projects earmarked for Jammu region including the artificial lake project and AIIMS.
“BJP should clear its stand on AIIMS as people of Jammu region will never forgive them for their deceiving tactics. Some BJP leaders are openly supporting the issue of setting up of AIIMS in Jammu while others at the helm of affairs have not uttered even a single word as of now which is adding to the frustration of Jammuites”, he added.
Taking a dig at the local BJP MLA, Tara Chand said the local MLA needs to focus on few developmental works as most of the development projects were taken up and completed during his tenure but if the repairs and renovation works will be overlooked, the Congress will be left with no other option than to occupy the streets and roads to protest.
Senior Congress leader also visited areas adjoining river Chenab where thousands of kanals of land has been damaged in the floods that occurred in September last year. People apprised him of the difficulties being faced by them and also apprehended that if timely work is not started their fields may further get damaged in coming monsoon season.
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