Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 24: Referring to the recent entrance exam papers leak, the Opposition Peoples Democratic Party today charged the National Conference (NC) Government with trampling all institutions to accomplish its nefarious designs.
“Meritorious and deserving people of the State are the worst victims due to erosion of the sanctity of institutions in Jammu and Kashmir,” former Chief Minister and PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said, adding “the present dispensation headed by NC has brazenly trampled all institutions just to accomplish its nefarious designs”.
Addressing a rally to welcome a large number of activists from Other Backward Classes (OBCs) who joined PDP here this afternoon, Mufti said social justice is possible only by strengthening democratic institutions.
How poor and meritorious students will get justice when the sanctity of institutions like the Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) is also eroded and illegal means were adopted to accommodate undeserving candidates? he asked.
He expressed surprise that a person, who is reported to be the main accused in this scam, has been given extension after extension by the present regime.
Mufti said during the past five years all institutions have been systematically bulldozed by this regime just to fulfil its own evil designs. He said the Congress was equally responsible for depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their legitimate democratic rights.
“…The NC is notorious for undermining sanctity of democratic institutions in the State but it is very unfortunate that the Congress, which is part of the present Government, is also playing dubious role,” he said. He charged the Government with failure to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions or to hold civic bodies elections in the State.
Referring repeated statements by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on the implementation of the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Constitution, Mufti said Congress leaders were giving statements only for public consumption, but they were not serious in strengthening democracy at the grassroots.
Reiterating his party’s resolve to work for the growth of socio-economically weaker sections, Mufti said the empowerment and uplift of marginalised lot of the society was main agenda of the party.
“More than two and half years have been passed after completion of the Panchayat elections but till date Government has failed to hold Block Development Councils (BDCs) elections despite the fact that notifications were earlier issued in this regard”, he regretted, adding, “It is nothing but a mockery of the democracy and blatant dishonour of the mandate of the people by those who are at the helm of the affairs”.
Reiterating resolve of his party to work for the socio-economic growth of weaker sections, Mufti said that empowerment and upliftment of marginalized lot of the society was main agenda of the party. He reminded his association with former Prime Minister V P Singh who was crusader for the social justice and had sacrificed power for the weaker sections.
Mufti emphasised on formulating policies which help in inclusive growth and emancipation of suppressed and neglected lot of the society. He argued that socio-economic growth of the OBCs and other weaker sections was must for the over-all development of the society. “Benefit of the developmental policies and other welfarist schemes must be reached to neglected lot of the society”, he said.
“These is a need to formulate a comprehensive policy especially to target these sections for inclusive development in the society”, he said and assured the gathering that PDP was committed for socio-economic growth of the neglected lot of the society.
“Programmes and policies of PDP are formulated by incorporating wishes and aspirations of all sections of the society”, he said and reminded that gathering that during PDP led regime various programmes were launched for the upliftment of weaker sections of society.