Says bad governance has pushed respectable citizens into destitution
Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday said bad governance has pushed respectable citizens into virtual destitution as is evident from demonstrations all over the state to press demands even for basic amenities. According to a statement issued to KNS, while addressing various meetings in Devsar constituency of Kulgam district she said apart from its political agenda PDP will focus on improving the quality of life for the citizens of the state. She was accompanied by the deputy speaker of the legislative assembly, Mohammad Sartaj Madni on her tour which took her to Larmgangi pora, Palpora, Akran,Kailam,Zangalpora,Deevsar,Sopat,Bragam,Gundipora,Choogam,Khargund, Churat, Kund,Y k pora,Chakibadwani,Panzat,Wanpora,Drayan,Bonigam,Vessu, Nipora, Furrah, and Bumthan villages.
Mehbooba said she is pained by the frequent sight of the people mostly ladies holding dharnas and demonstrations for even drinking water in many places. She said if this could be the case in a state so much rich in the water resources nobody other than the National Conference and Congress, who have been in power ever since independence can be blamed for such dehumanizing conditions.
The PDP chief said in spite of huge investment in the development schemes very little seems to be changing for the people who have to face immense difficulties in getting power, water, rations, healthcare and education. Women still have to fetch water from distant sources and virtually fight for survival. She said the state has been deliberately projected as a begging bowl because the parties in power have time and gain sold out its interests for their own political survival. PDP, she said, would reverse this impression and try to establish a model welfare state where people would get what they deserve as a matter of right like members of a dignified society.
Mehbooba said J&K is rich in water resources, minerals, horticulture, agriculture and tourism but there has been a complete absence of a policy to harness these resources for the benefit of the people. She said PDP’s agenda is to develop the right kind of human resource that does not have to hanker after seasonal or daily rated employment, for which they are being politically exploited and then not being able to even receive their wages. She said establishment of a knowledge society and skilled workforce alone can help the state in tapping its resource base and create jobs for its highly talented young population who are otherwise mired in frustration and hopelessness.
Mehbooba said the government has been holidaying while the people are left to their fate. She said the farming community has suffered immense losses due to inclement weather conditions which have resulted in heavy damage to apple and other fruits. Similarly, the hailstorm in many areas has left crops devastated but the government agencies have been unable to intervene either in disease control or loss assessment.
Mehbooba said the people are facing immense problems due to lack of ration at many places and the landless families both in rural and urban areas have to suffer more because of the government’s callousness. She said her party has brought this problem to the notice of Central government recently, and told the concerned minister, Ram Vilas Paswan, that due to scaling down of ration quota to consumers in J&K numerous families have been pushed to starvation in many areas. Senior Party leader and deputy speaker of legislative assembly, Mohammad Sartaj Madni was also present on the occasion.