Sir,
We, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, convey our gratitude to the team of Daily Excelsior for putting up Report Card of each constituency on daily basis. This actually enables us to understand the real feel of the people besides getting an insight of the performance of the concerned MLA. It is quite heartening to convey that a very few of the constituencies have shown noticeable improvement in public life and these few constituencies are incidentally represented by none of the main stream political parties. Only MLA representing communist party has reportedly fared well in comparison to few others who have also achieved public admiration. Sad to say that none of the leaders heading main stream political parties including BJP and PDP, who have ruled the state for almost four years, could achieve noticeable results.
* Looking at the expectations of the voters, it is felt that most of them are devoid of basic facilities like road, water, health services and education for their children. Needless to say that the report cards published so far do not convey appreciable effort of these leaders to think beyond these basic needs of the people. There is reportedly no new industry planned/projected to be opened to create new employment opportunities for voters; even nowhere a revival of sick unit of existing industries across three provinces is reported. Most crucial is the availability of education institutions for children. There is a dire need of higher education institutes at tehsil level with required staff and infrastructure to mitigate the sufferings of these students who travel from far flung areas depending on irregular transport facility. This indicates that real time interaction between elected representatives and general public needs cohesive approach. Situation is more worrisome in case of people living near Line of control and international border as economy of these constituencies is agriculture based and frequent violation of borders by our neighbor disturbs their day to day farming activity.
* We are yet to find any report indicating availability of vocational centers to develop skill amongst youth of these areas. A concerted effort to revive local handicraft and art at government institutes especially through social welfare schemes will yield desired results in creating employment opportunity for local artisans, enriching local craft and art with required scientific approach besides boosting the local economy and human resource. This would utilize locally available raw materials and create market for farmers to earn throughout the year reducing their dependence on agriculture. We all know that state assembly has been dissolved and elections are round the corner any time. A vigilant approach by voters is need of hour. Let us all resolve to act and exercise our franchise in favor of most deserving candidate without consideration of any political affiliation and help Indian democracy to mature in healthy direction rather than being hijacked by mighty political parties through money and muscle power.Jai Hind Jai Bharat.
Mahesh Chander Sudan
Sainik Colony Jammu