Jammu, September 5 (KNS): Senior Congress leader and former Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Tara Chand on Saturday called for the immediate restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir along with constitutional safeguards to protect the land and employment rights of local people.

Addressing a Jan Samvad programme at Bandwal village in the Jourian area of Akhnoor Assembly constituency, Chand interacted with residents and discussed issues concerning farmers, youth, workers and the rural population.

“Statehood should be restored at the earliest, along with constitutional guarantees that safeguard the rights and interests of the people of J&K,” Chand said.

He said local people should have the first right over their land and employment opportunities and demanded measures to address the rising unemployment among educated youth.

Chand urged the government to announce a special employment package for educated unemployed youth and provide allowances to those awaiting jobs.

“Our educated children are wandering in search of employment. They have degrees and qualifications but no opportunities,” he said.

The former deputy chief minister also raised concerns over the loss of fertile agricultural land along the Chenab, particularly in vulnerable areas, and called for the construction of protective walls and permanent bunds.

He demanded timely compensation for farmers who had already suffered losses and urged the administration to identify vulnerable stretches and initiate protective works.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Chand also criticised the delay in completing the Jourian-Pallanwala road and other development works in the area.

He said several projects, including the road up to Jourian, a bridge over Jourian Nallah and widening of Khour market, had been initiated during his tenure but remained incomplete.

“Almost 12 years have passed and the people are still waiting for the completion of these basic development works,” he said, demanding that the Jourian-Pallanwala road be taken up on priority.

He also sought a clear and time-bound policy for regularisation of daily-wage workers, saying they had been waiting for job security and a resolution of their demands for years.

“Daily wagers have served the government for years. The government must fulfil its commitments and formulate a clear and time-bound policy for their regularisation,” Chand said.

Chand said the Congress would continue to raise issues concerning people at the grassroots level and urged party workers to remain connected with residents and visit villages to understand their problems.

He also appealed to people in Akhnoor to support the Congress in the forthcoming Panchayat and Urban Local Body elections.

PCC General Secretary Narinder Sharma, Master Rashpal, Captain Kalidass, Madan Lal Sharma, Somraj Sharma, K K Bhagat, Bittu Chib, Bodhraj Sharma, Sham Lal, Rohit Kumar and Saidass were among those present.(KNS)