President’s address ignores inflation, joblessness in J&K: Mian Altaf in Lok Sabha

3 August 2024

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New Delhi, 2 Aug: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag-Rajouri Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi said that the PM’s catch words bridging Dil ki Doori and Dilli Ki Doori flies in the face of gross injustices committed with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In his address during the motion of thanks on the President’s speech in Parliament, Mian Altaf said achievements outlined in the speech with regards J&K fly in the face of increasing predicaments faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He expressed concern that the address failed to acknowledge the absence of a democratically elected government in the region since 2014. “In a shocking turn of events, the once proud state of Jammu and Kashmir has been stripped of its status and downgraded to a mere Union Territory. This unprecedented move was vehemently rejected by the people of J&K, Ladakh. Never before in the history of our parliament has such a drastic measure been taken, where a full-fledged state has been dismantled in this manner. The people of J&K and Ladakh have spoken loud and clear – they reject these unjust decisions. It is time for these grave injustices to be rectified. Our statehood must be reinstated, and a strong, democratically elected government should be restored to the region.”

He also brought attention to the declining conditions at the prestigious health institute, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in the Lok Sabha. Kashmir’s premier health institute, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) echoed in parliament on Friday as National Conference Member of Parliament Mian Altaf expressed concerns about the institute’s decline since losing its autonomy last year.

During his speech in Lok Sabha regarding health grants in the budget, Mian Altaf highlighted the negative impact of stripping SKIMS of its autonomy on hospital management and patient care. “SKIMS is an old health institution of Kashmir whose autonomy was ended by the BJP government. BJP had in its agenda ending autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir but not the autonomy of the SKIMS.Snatching SKIMS’ autonomy affected hospital management and patient-care.”

He also referred to the gross injustices of handing over state power projects made by State Hydro Power Corporation to NHPC. “Despite the huge power generating potential, the locals receive only a small share of it, and what they do get is at exorbitant rates. The return of hydel projects has been a prolonged demand of J&K which remains unfulfilled. Nothing is being done to address this issue. Is this how they plan to bridge the gap between the hearts of the people and the capital? However, there are no visible initiatives on the ground to make these promises a reality.”

“The President’s address completely ignores the main issues facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir. There is no roadmap to address the rampant inflation, skyrocketing unemployment, and lack of development. The recruitment process in the region has been stagnant for a decade, leaving highly educated youth with degrees in limbo. There is no mention of commissioning metro trains in the major cities of Srinagar and Jammu. Despite lofty claims, tribals have been neglected and receive no support. Promises made for tribal communities are rarely implemented on the ground. It would have been beneficial for the government to involve tribal MPs from across the country in formulating policies for the tribal population.”