- Modi Govt ‘dented’ democracy by augmenting LG’s powers: Rattan Lal Gupta
JAMMU: A daylong conference of the functionaries of the National Conference (NC) Jammu Rural-“A” was held under the Chairmanship of its President, Raghbir Singh Manhas today at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan Jammu. The meeting was jointly addressed by Ajay Sadhotra, Additional General Secretary and former Minister, Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President Jammu and Babu Rampaul Central Zone President and former minister.
In his opening address, Raghbir Singh Manhas briefed senior party leaders about the dire state of development in the border areas. He highlighted the near-complete absence of healthcare facilities, acute shortages of potable water, and erratic electricity supply and unemployment issue of Youth that have been causing significant distress to the residents.
Addressing the party workers, former Minister Ajay Sadhotra said that people living in Kandi and border belts of Jammu region were already facing dearth of necessary amenities due to indifferent government but with the rise in terrorism, now fear psychosis has also gripped the population as they have no hope from the people sitting at helm after they felt the inability and indifference of these in the last many months because despite increase in terror incidents, those running the government are trying to spread false narrative of lasting peace in J&K. He also highlighted the ‘cruel’ dearth of development in rural pockets of Akhnoor, Makwal, Bhalwal, Khour, Nagrota and Dansal areas besides government showing no interest in tackling joblessness in the region.
Expressing serious concern over rise in terror activities, he accused the government of not doing enough to contain terrorism in Jammu region. He said that the government seems to have no policy to counter the rising terrorism in the region as soldiers and the civilians are being mercilessly ‘martyred’ on regular basis and those responsible for providing security are clueless and only busy in giving hollow statements of avenging the deaths.
Rattan Lal Gupta, in his address, said that the central government led by PM Narendra Modi has weakened the democracy in Jammu and Kashmir by augmenting powers to the Lt Governor. He said it is unfortunate that people sitting at helm have weaken the status of elected representatives through the aforesaid move. He said that by weakening democracy this dispensation has been doing great disservice to the people of the region as this move will stop the public representatives from fulfilling the aspirations of the masses, which is the real essence of democracy.
The Provincial President asked the party workers to gear up for the ensuing Assembly polls as NC’s victory shall be the victory of the people of J&K because no other party in the region is capable of satiating the aspirations of the people as it has become evident under the incumbent rule of BJP, because people are suffering on all counts.
He asked the party cadre to shoulder the responsibility of convincing the electorate about benefits of NC’s majority government in J&K with utter sincerity and ensure party’s resounding win for the sake of welfare of the people in real terms.
Babu Rampaul Central Zone President and former minister JKNC, asked party workers to strengthen the hands of NC President Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah by taking the party's policies to the grassroots level. He emphasized the importance of connecting with the common people and ensuring that the party's vision and initiatives reach every corner of the region. By doing so, he believed that the party can build a stronger foundation and effectively address the needs and aspirations of the populace. He called on all party members to work tirelessly to spread the message and principles of the National Conference at the grassroots level.
Addressing the meeting Pardeep Bali, Ayub Malik Provincial Secretaries, and Kuldeep Sharma Senior JKNC leader criticized the current regime for its failure to provide basic amenities to people residing in rural and remote areas. They emphasized that the people of remote areas are suffering due to the administration's apathy and demanded immediate action to address their grievances.
Other senior NC leaders Bimla Luthra former MLA and Shamim Begum DDC member Dansal raised the issue of the incumbent dispensation’s failure to provide justice to marginalized sections of society. They criticized the government's inability to ensure welfare for all citizens without prejudice and partiality. They emphasized that the current administration has overlooked the needs of the underprivileged, leading to widespread disenchantment and frustration among these communities.
Among those who were present include : Satwant Kour Dogra Provincial President Women wing Jammu, Ghar Singh, Ankush Abrol, Vijay Lochan Chairman SC Cell, Abdul Gani Teli Chairman OBC Cell, Chander Mohan Sharma District President Jammu Urban, Naresh Bittu District President Jammu Rural B, Rakesh Singh Raka , Rita Gupta , Dilshad Malik Vice Presidents Central Zone , Master Aslam Secretary Central Zone, Ranjeet Singh Manhas Vice President District Jammu Rural A, Tilak Raj Bhagat District Secretary Jammu Rural A, Radhir Singh Jamwal Secretary Jammu Rural A, Rakesh Sharma District President Jammu Rural A YNC, Omkar Singh District Secretary Jammu Rural A, Madan Lal Block President Akhnoor,Siraj Din Block President Dansal, Thoru Ram Block President Nagrota, Subash Chander Block President Bhalwal, Satpal Karlopia former corporator, Balwant Singh Block President Baran, Deyi Dayal Jogi Block Secretary Khour, Randhir Singh Chib Senior Vice President Marh, Ch. Vika Youth President Marh, Ashwani Charak Block President East,S. Gurnam Singh Block President Jammu West,Tarsem Khullar, Waris Gill President Christian Cell and others.
