Sadhotra expresses disappointment over PM’s Palli visit in J&K

JAMMU APRIL 25:(KNS)  Former minister and senior National Conference leader Mr Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today said that Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi disappointed the people of Jammu and Kashmir by not spelling out any roadmap for safeguarding the jobs and lands of the permanent residents, granting statehood, addressing the burgeoning unemployment problem, ending developmental inertia and tackling the selective attacks by terrorists in the Valley.

 
Reacting to the speech delivered by the Prime Minister at Palli Panchayat in Samba District on Sunday, the former minister, in a statement, said that the youth were expecting a big employment package, given the promises held out by the BJP in 2014 and 2019 but not speaking a word is anti-climax of the visit. He said the educated employed are not only struggling for some sort of sustenance but are also worried about their share in the jobs being usurped by the outsiders.
 
 The youth find themselves in a very precarious situation with no hope in sight in the near future. Much disappointing fact about the speech was the stoic silence of the Prime Minister over the regularisation of about 80,000 daily wagers, casual labours, need based, adhoc based in various departments who along with their families are suffering for decades, he added.
 
Mr Sadhotra said Jammu and Kashmir is continuing to suffer from developmental inertia; not only because the earlier so-called Prime Minister’s Package of Rs 70,000 crore did not yield dividends on ground but the developmental scenario remained all time low in the recent years. The power and drinking water crisis during the obtaining scorching heat has pushed the residents to wall and the accountability within administrative hierarchy is far from desired. The utility services are in shambles with road network presenting a grim picture of administrative apathy.
 
 The civic scenario in the urban and semi-urban areas, especially in the much hyped Smart City of Jammu is pathetic. Development has remained subject matter for propaganda material confined to flavoury handouts issued from the government, he said.
 
The former minister expressed dismay over the lackadaisical attitude of the Centre in satiating the urges and aspirations of the people. The Prime Minister continued to remain muted over the promised restoration of statehood to J&K or instilling a sense of confidence among the people about restoration Of the democratic process, which stands denied for nearly three years. He said J&K was awaiting a big reach out by the Prime Minister but the central leaders are continuing with their gimmick and rhetoric, which people are increasingly realising.
 
Mr Sadhotra said that the Prime Minister did not list measures on how to ease peoples’ pain, their anxieties over fast growing inflation, rising fuel and LPG prices.
 
 The supply chain for transporting 
essentials has almost collapsed and prices are witnessing steep and alarming hike in the past few months. This speaks about the indifference of the central leadership over the concerns of the common people; he said adding that the Prime Minister’s visit toJammu was a huge disappointment.

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