New Delhi: Expressing concern that the state of jammu and KAshmir is under political quarantine since the last 7.5 months, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday demanded to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and release all the political leaders who have been under house arrest since removal of Article 370.
Initiating the debate on the Jammu and Kashmir Appropriation Bill, 2020, Mr Azad said that the situation in the state has worsened from what it was 30 years ago when terrorism was at its peak in the state.
He also said that the government has been able to spend only 48 per cent of Rs 80,000 crore package, which was given by the central government.
Talking about creation of Union Territories he said there was no difference between Jammu, Kashmir and Kargil. Only Leh wanted to have Union Territory status.
Accusing the government of destroying the culture, tradition and economy of Kashmir, he said that the Kashmir is incomplete without Kashmiri Pandits and Kashmir Muslims. There are over three lakh Kashmiris who are staying out of the valley.
While demanding to restore statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, the senior Congress leader also urged the government to give land rights to locals like it is being given in North Eastern States and Himachal Pradesh. Besides, he also asked to recruit locals in jobs.
