Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: The National Conference (NC) has raised serious concerns about the data on poverty in Jammu and Kashmir released by the NITI Aayog.
According to the NITI Aayog, nearly one lakh people in the region have escaped poverty, but the NC has termed this data as “dubious and manipulated.”
The NC’s Provincial President, Rattan Lal Gupta, criticized the Government for its alleged failure to fulfil the promises made after scrapping Article 370.
He pointed out that despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s assurances of new employment opportunities, the region still lacks any multinational companies setting up businesses.
“This has resulted in an alarming rise in unemployment rates, with approximately 8 lakh registered youths in the Directorate of Employment being jobless, including two lakh educated individuals in the Union Territory,” he said.
Gupta expressed concern about the worsening state of the industrial sector, with several industries struggling to sustain operations, leading to a severe impact on the job market.
He highlighted that the per capita income in Jammu and Kashmir has also significantly declined, adding to the economic challenges faced by the populace.
The NC leader further contested the claims made by NITI Aayog, citing prevailing inflation in the region, which has driven essential commodity prices to unprecedented levels.
“This inflation has disproportionately affected marginalized sections of society, pushing them further into poverty,” said Gupta.
Questioning the credibility and accuracy of the data released by NITI Aayog, Gupta called for a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of the economic and social conditions in Jammu and Kashmir.
He emphasized the need to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment in the region and urged the Government to prioritize job creation and reinvigorate the struggling industrial sector.
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