Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 14: Senior vice president of Pradesh Congress Committee and former minister, Sham Lal Sharma today said that now the time has come to grant regional autonomy to Jammu and other regions of the State in order to put an end to the disparity among the three regions and to frustrate designs of forces disintegrating the State.
In press statement issued here today PCC leader said that granting regional autonomy would help in empowering all regions and of the State. He reminded that in the Working Group headed by Justice Sagheer had recommended Regional Autonomous Council. While recommending this, all parties of the State were taken on board.
Sharma further said that the National Conference, is also in favour of granting regional autonomy to all the three regions of the State. He said that allowing regional autonomy has been enjoined in Congress party’s manifesto for the years 2008 and 2014. Besides, the Congress Party, raised this issue both in and outside the State Assembly vociferously.
He further said that the BJP which is in alliance with the PDP is already in favour of said demand. Since all the parties are in favour of granting regional autonomy, it is high time for the Central Govt to grant regional autonomy to all the three regions which will pave way for peace and tranquility in the State.
Highlighting the discrimination meted to the people of Jammu region Sham Lal said that the people of Jammu region suffered in all walks of life- in development activities, in services and in allocation of funds. He said all the political parties in the State are advocating for regional autonomy in order to ensure equitable development and political empowerment in all the regions. There is anger among the people of Jammu region due to discrimination against them.
Sharma said that it is heartening to note that there is consensus among all the parties for granting regional autonomy to Jammu region. He further urged upon the Central Government to grant regional autonomy so that regional discrimination is put to an end.
It has been often seen that as and when there is disturbance in Kashmir valley, there has always been its impact on Jammu and Ladakh regions. The economy of these regions gets shattered. The inflow of tourists gets worst affected. The regional councils can only address the grievances of the people of the region, Sharma added.
Follow our WhatsApp channel