Chenani, 15-03-2023: Accusing the present dispensation of showing scant concern for the woes and miseries of the people especially those inhabiting the rural and remote areas, Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, Former Minister and senior NPP leader said that BJP’s proxy rule in J&K had miserably failed to satisfy the urges and aspirations of the common masses. Rather than coming to the succour of the general masses devastated by the corona pandemic, soaring prices of essentials, burgeoning unemployment and loss of livelihood due to dwindling economy, the govt was literally robbing them in the name of new taxes, duties and cesses. He was interacting with the people of Kud, Mada and Champeri during his tour of Chenani constituency today.
Mr. Singh said that though the anti-encroachment drive had been put on hold, the Girdawaris of all poor, marginalized people had been removed from records thereby terminating all their rights over the lands held by them since decades. Change of pension rules for old aged, widows and physically challenged persons by the govt had further created massive resentment amongst the bonafide and eligible persons who felt deprived of the benefits of the said schemes due to additional formalities and complications introduced in the new procedures. Introduction of property tax was another big jolt to the middle classes who felt deeply hurt by such an insensitive decision of the govt taken without the nod of legislature. He further flayed the present regime for using the iron fist of police to silence the educated unemployed youth seeking dis-engagement of a blacklisted agency hired for recruitments by the govt. He said that yesterday’s order postponing the exams would not satisfy the youth who were seeking transparency and fairness in all such recruitments. Calling upon the people to work for bringing about a change on the political landscape of J&K, Mr. Singh said that BJP rule would be remembered as the darkest chapter in the history of the erstwhile state.
Dwelling upon the local issues of the areas, Mr. Singh sought immediate restoration and up-gradation of Kud Mall road which was in shambles due to culpable apathy of PDA and local administration. He sought inclusion of Mandlot, Mada and Puchot villages for tourism promotion by PDA in view of their vast potential. He regretted that the Cable car project from lower Kud to Patnitop assigned to a Kashmir based contractor, was exploiting the tourists by changing arbitrary and enormous rates creating resentment amongst the visitors and local populace. He sought engagement of adequate staff for upkeep and maintenance of PDA assets and for general cleanliness of the tourist spot which offered tremendous potential for tourism but was facing neglect at the hands of the present administration.
