| News Details |
| Delay in statehood restoration and grassroots democracy hurting public interests in J&K: Raman Bhalla | |
Khour, May 31 (Scoop News)- Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla today said that the Indian National Congress, through its nationwide Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, is committed not only to organizational strengthening but also to vigorously championing the genuine aspirations and concerns of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who continue to face mounting challenges on multiple fronts.Presiding over a meeting organized by JKPCC District Jammu Rural President Neeraj Kundan at Khour, Bhalla said the Congress party believes that a strong organization must ultimately translate into stronger advocacy for public interests, democratic rights and equitable development.
Prominent among those who were present on the occasion included S/Shri Ved Mahajan-Ex MLC, Vinod Sharma-Sr Congress leader , Virinder Manhas, Ashok Bhagat , Iqbal Dar, Vajayant Pathania , Vijay Choudhary Ramesh Verma , Mangal Bral, Ashok Sharma, Abishek Sharma, Subash Sharma, Madan Lal ,Yash Paul, Dewan Chand ,Sumit Sharma besides others.
Addressing party workers and local residents, Bhalla expressed serious concern over the continued delay in the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He said the people have been patiently waiting for the restoration of their democratic rights and a governance structure that is more accountable and responsive to local aspirations."The restoration of statehood is not merely a political demand; it is intrinsically linked with administrative efficiency, democratic accountability, accelerated development and effective resolution of public grievances," Bhalla said. He maintained that the absence of a fully empowered state government has created a perception among the people that many pressing local issues are not receiving the urgency and attention they deserve.
Bhalla also voiced concern over the prolonged delay in holding elections to Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies and other grassroots democratic institutions. He observed that Panchayats and municipal bodies serve as the first point of contact between citizens and governance, and their prolonged inactivity has adversely affected developmental planning and execution at the local level.He said elected representatives at the grassroots play a pivotal role in identifying local priorities, monitoring development works and ensuring accountability in public service delivery. "Democracy becomes truly meaningful only when power reaches the grassroots and local communities actively participate in decision-making processes," he remarked.
Highlighting the plight of thousands of daily wagers, casual labourers, need-based workers, contractual employees and other temporary workforce categories, Bhalla reiterated Congress' unwavering support for their long-pending demand for regularization. He said many such workers have rendered decades of dedicated service under extremely difficult conditions but continue to face uncertainty regarding their future."It is unfortunate that employees who have devoted the prime years of their lives to public service are still awaiting justice. Their regularization is not merely an administrative issue but a question of social and economic dignity," Bhalla said, urging the authorities to formulate a comprehensive and time-bound policy to address their concerns.
The Congress leader further expressed concern over the acute shortage of staff in schools, colleges, healthcare institutions and various government departments. He noted that numerous educational institutions in rural and remote areas continue to function with inadequate teaching staff, adversely affecting the quality of education and limiting opportunities for students.Bhalla said the future of Jammu and Kashmir depends upon a robust education system and warned that prolonged vacancies in teaching positions could have long-term consequences for the region's human resource development. He called for immediate recruitment drives to fill all vacant posts in educational institutions.
Referring to the healthcare sector, Bhalla said many hospitals, community health centres and primary health institutions are grappling with shortages of doctors, specialists, paramedical staff and essential support personnel. Such deficiencies, he noted, place enormous pressure on existing healthcare workers and adversely affect patient care, particularly in far-flung and underserved areas.He also highlighted manpower shortages across several government departments, stating that vacant positions have hampered administrative efficiency and delayed the delivery of essential public services. Filling these vacancies, he asserted, would not only improve governance but also generate much-needed employment opportunities for educated youth.
Turning to civic infrastructure, Bhalla said the recurring problems of inadequate drinking water supply and unscheduled power cuts continue to cause immense hardship to both urban and rural populations. He stressed that access to clean drinking water and reliable electricity should be treated as fundamental developmental priorities.Many villages and residential areas, he observed, continue to face irregular water supply, especially during the summer season, forcing residents to struggle for basic necessities. Similarly, frequent power disruptions affect households, students, small businesses, agricultural activities and industrial operations, thereby impacting economic productivity and quality of life.
Bhalla urged the administration to undertake comprehensive measures for upgrading water supply schemes, strengthening distribution networks, reducing transmission losses and modernizing power infrastructure to meet growing public demand.The senior Congress leader further said that unemployment, inflation, inadequate infrastructure, declining purchasing power, challenges faced by farmers, traders and small entrepreneurs, and delays in implementation of welfare measures have collectively intensified public distress. He asserted that Congress would continue to serve as a strong voice of the people and relentlessly pursue solutions to these pressing issues.
Emphasizing the significance of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, Bhalla said the campaign aims to build a grassroots-driven organization capable of effectively articulating public concerns and ensuring that people's issues receive priority at every level. He called upon party workers to strengthen their engagement with local communities and become active partners in the struggle for justice, development and democratic empowerment."The ultimate objective of Congress is not merely organizational expansion but winning public trust through public service. Our commitment is to safeguard the interests of every citizen, strengthen democratic institutions, secure employment opportunities for youth, ensure social and economic justice, restore statehood, revive grassroots democracy and guarantee that governance remains accountable to the people," Bhalla asserted.
He said Congress will continue to stand firmly with farmers, labourers, employees, youth, women, traders, border residents and other marginalized sections until their genuine concerns are addressed and their aspirations fulfilled.
Prominent Congress leaders, office bearers, Panchayat representatives and party workers present on the occasion reiterated their resolve to strengthen the organization at the grassroots level and intensify efforts for the protection of public interests throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
JKPCC District Jammu Rural President Neeraj Kundan, while welcoming the party workers and local residents, said that the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan is not merely an organizational exercise but a mass outreach campaign aimed at reconnecting with the people and amplifying their genuine concerns. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing numerous challenges, including unemployment, inadequate civic amenities, shortage of staff in essential services, and delays in democratic processes.
Kundan asserted that Congress remains committed to raising these issues forcefully at every platform and ensuring that the voices of common citizens are heard. He emphasized that strengthening the party at the grassroots level would enable Congress workers to effectively champion public causes, safeguard democratic values, and intensify the struggle for restoration of statehood, revival of Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies, regularization of daily wagers, employment generation for youth, and equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir. He urged party workers to maintain close contact with the people and work tirelessly to address their concerns through constructive public engagement and service.
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