Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 23: Former minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla today said that Congress stands for the struggle to safeguard genuine rights of the people and the lost identity of the erstwhile State after the abrogation of its special status last year.
While interacting with people at Maha Kali Nagar, Ward – 73 of Gandhinagar constituency here today Bhalla said that Congress Party has time and again reiterated its demand for the restoration of full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir along with constitutional guarantees and safeguards for the land and jobs to local residents. He regretted that people of J&K were facing numerous problems due to callous approach of those at the helm of the affairs. “Woes of common people are compounding with every passing day due to non serious approach of Govt,” he added.
Demanding an economic package for J&K, he said present scenario demands to take care of labourers, shopkeepers, industrialists, traders and people who are associated with tourism industry and other sectors, who have been worst hit due to the COVID-19. He said that any further delay in restoration of statehood can increase the feeling of powerlessness, cynicism and lack of confidence in the political process, politicians and democratic institutions within J&K. He reminded BJP Govt of its promise on J&K’s statehood.”People are anxiously waiting for the announcement of this decision and sooner the better,” he added.
“The main source of earning of J&K was tourism and religious tourism. But hotels are empty and the employees there are sitting idle. The Government should waive off electricity bills to these sectors instead of deferment of loan which is not a concession,” Bhalla said.
The situation in Jammu and Kashmir has reached a stage where the people have virtually lost trust with the institution of governance and political process. The lack of responsiveness in the Government offices has added to the already existing levels of alienation and discontentment among the people. Almost all the shopkeepers, traders, and other small, medium and big business units including private schools have been badly hit since August last year and the COVID-19 pandemic has grossly added to their woes. Deferring the payment of electricity and water usage charges would be injustice with them.
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