Jammu, Feb 23: Apni Party Tuesday expressed concern over continued ban on extraction of minerals in Jammu due to which the cost of construction material has escalated.
According to a press statement, Mohammed Ashraf Choudhary organized a meeting of Apni Party which was attended by Provincial President, Jammu, Manjit Singh, Provincial President, Women Wing, Namrta Sharma, State Coordinator OBC Madan Lal Chalotra, and Provincial President, Youth Wing, Gourav Kapoor and other leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Former Minister Manjit Singh said that the ban on extraction of minerals like sand and stones should be lifted.
“People who are dependent upon the business have become jobless in Jammu, Samba and Kathua Districts. This ban has snatched the right of earning from the people associated with the trade and outsiders are allegedly being encouraged which is highly objectionable,” said Manjit Singh.
He said that “In some places where the ban has been lifted, the outsiders who are into the business supplying material on much higher rates against the rates defined by the Govt in view of shortage of material in the market.
“The people are being compelled to buy the material at higher rates which is not possible without the support of respective administration or concerned police,” alleged Manjit Singh.
On this occasion, many people joined the Apni Party. Welcoming them into the Party, Manjit Singh said that “The ban has escalated the cost of construction and people are compelled to buy the hiked material from the market which is brought from out of Jammu.”
He said that the Bathindi-Sunjwan road is in shabby condition and the developmental condition of the area is worse.
“The roads are damaged from many places and they need urgent repair. However, people have told us here that the authorities are not concerned about cleanliness or about better road connectivity,” said Manjit Singh.
Manjit Singh said that people have informed them that they do not have a proper mini-bus stand in Bathindi – Sunjwan which should be constructed with all facilities.
Provincial President, Women Wing, Namrta Sharma welcomed the newcomers into the party and appreciated the organizers of the function.
“The vision of the party is to keep both the regions united and do not allow divisive forces to create misunderstandings for their political gains. Apni Party is committed to resolve public grievances,” said Namrta.
OBC State Coordinator, Madan Lal Chalotra said that the nomads and OBC community have almost equal sufferings and demand from the Govt.
“The previous Govt exploited us for vote bank and our economic and social condition remained unchanged,” he added.
He said that their joining into the party will give hopes to the downtrodden and neglected section of society.
Provincial President, Youth Wing, Gourav Kapoor said that the Party has received an overwhelming response from the people of Jammu Division.
“Party talks about unity and development in J&K and we will work on this. The forces who have always tried to create differences in society have no place in the Apni Party. We will fight for everyone. The regional politics has encouraged one region against another and it should stop,” he said.
Prominent among those who joined Apni Party include Nassar Kassana, Paramjeet Singh, Zakir Hussain, Zaffar Hussain, Alam Din, Zaffar Spari, Farhan Choudhary, Waseem Khan, Sonu Singh, Shahid Hussain, Rahamat Ali, Haneef Mohd, Major Bhat, Talib Hussain, Sajjad Choudhary, and others. Shubam and Gowar Rashid Wani were among those who were present on the occasion.