Rajouri Feb 16: Reacting over the statement of Union Minister Kiran Rijijun wherein he refused to give any timeline for restoration of statehood, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra Sunday hit out at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government in the centre for its clear message that it is not ready to consider granting of statehood to Jammu & Kashmir in near future.
Lashing out at the BJP led centre government for its betrayal over its repeated commitments with regard to early restoration of statehood to Jammu & Kashmir, which it has promised on the floor of the parliament, before the Supreme Court and in numerous public rallies especially by the Prime Minister & Home Minister.
Karra, however, said that Rijiju’s statement yesterday is a clear indication of centre’s intentions not to honour its commitments to grant early statehood to J&K.
JKPCC Chief, who is on a campaign of Jammu province, on the party’s mission “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq” for early restoration of statehood, called upon the people to be ready to fight for getting back their identity, dignity, status and rights as a state.
He was addressing a largely attended workers convention at Doongi in district Rajouri today alongwith a team of senior congress leaders including Working President Raman Bhalla, MLA Rajouri Iftikhar Ahmed, District President & former Minister Shabir Ahmed Khan, DDC Rajouri Sain Abdul Rashid, Iqbal Shawl, Ashok Sharma, Ricky Dalotra & several others.
Karra said that during UPA government, a medical college, besides half a dozen degree colleges, ITIs and other health & education institutions besides sports stadiums were opened apart from various other infrastructure & development works in the district but BJP leaders make false claims whereas BJP government neglected the border belt of Rajouri-Poonch during ten years of its rule in the field of connectivity, health and education infrastructure.
The Railway project was initiated by Rahul Gandhi after his visit to Rajouri in 2012 & its survey conducted proposing project cost of Rs 13,608 crore has been abandoned. He said that several hundred schools were closed and merged.
He highlighted the large scale unemployment due to anti youth policies of previous administration as the daily wagers, adhoc, temporary employees of all departments are still suffering for years. He said RET was stopped, teachers recruitment stopped, army recruitment was changed to Agniveer Scheme and likewise, as a result unemployment has surged.
Karra appreciated the efforts of local MLA Iftikhar Ahmed to serve people and assured people to raise their genuine demand of a tehsil in the area as projected by MLA.
Working President Raman Bhalla in his speech lashed out at the BJP for keeping powers of the elected persons and government with Lt Governor despite elections and not restoring the state. They made repeated commitments for statehood but betrayed the faith of the people to keep people powerless.
He said BJP government has pushed youth to frustration and drugs due to large scale unemployment. There is unprecedented price rise and huge taxations due to which people are suffering a lot.
He also referred to the betrayal with refugees of POJK whose one time settlement package was recommended by Congress in 2014 but BJP government gave only meagre amount to them.
MLA Iftikhar Ahmed raised the issues of the area regarding tehsil status and other issues of water and power, ration besides large scale unemployment etc. He sought the attention of the government in this regard.
DCC President Shabir Ahmed Khan highlighted the neglect of Rajouri Poonch region by the BJP government especially neglecting the Railway project besides road and electricity projects.
People raised slogans to restore statehood besides supporting Congress abhiyan of ” Jai Bapu,Hai Bhim and Jai Samvidhan” .Several prominent leaders attended & spoke including Shakeel Mir, Sajad Tariq, Vijay Sharma Seva Dal Bittu Shah, Amit Sayal, Sushil Sharma, Suraj Langeh, Balkrishan.Rajinder Singh,Vipin Kumar,Deeraj Sharma,Sat Pal Sharma,Ravinder Chouhan, & several DCC,BCC leaders & other prominent leaders. (KNS)
Statehood Restoration: Rijiju’s statement akin to centre’s refusal, says Karra
