Abrar Nabi

Srinagar, Oct 31 (KNS): People’s Democratic Party MLA from Pulwama, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, on Friday said that Jammu and Kashmir has become the most disempowered region in the country since the abrogation of its special status, urging for the restoration of democracy and the rights of its people.

Speaking to reporters at Narkara Budgam, Parra said that August 5 continues to remain a painful reminder of the erosion of J&K’s constitutional identity and democratic space.

“It’s a day of disempowerment for the people of J&K. Everyone knows that we had a special status as a state, and today we are in a new territory, the most disempowered region in the country. We seek the restoration of our democracy,” Parra said.

Reaffirming PDP’s stand, he said, “We stand with J&K as a Muslim-majority state and demand that the rights and dignity of our people be restored. We should have a special status as a state, and along with that, we should work for the welfare of the people of J&K.”

Criticizing the present administration, Parra said the government’s performance has been disappointing despite its strong mandate. “Till now, the expenditure of our government is less than 5% per year. They had promised free gas and electricity, but instead, they are metering the entire J&K.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey have not rationalized the open market or delivered on their commitments,” he said.

Referring to the PDP’s recently introduced Land Bill in the Assembly, Parra said the bill aimed to grant ownership rights to residents living on state land. “The PDP brought a bill seeking ownership rights for people living in these areas so that they are not evicted from their homes,” he said.

He expressed disappointment that the National Conference did not support the bill. “We had promised to back them in this initiative. But unfortunately, NC leaders said there are too many Kashmiri land grabbers, and they cannot support the bill. If we cannot live in our own houses and are called land grabbers, while outsiders continue to get land, that is truly unfortunate,” Parra said.

Reacting to LG Manoj Sinha’s recent statement that elected representatives should use existing powers for public welfare, Parra said the assembly itself had the opportunity to prove that by supporting the land bill. “They had the numbers and the power to pass it. It was about one lakh people and one lakh houses. If they really believe in empowerment, they should have acted in the assembly, not just spoken outside it,” he said.(KNS)