Jammu 01 Jun : The Jammu and Kashmir Congress on expressed concern over the delay in restoration of full statehood and elections to grassroots democratic institutions, alleging that the situation was adversely affecting governance and public interest.
Addressing a meeting under the party’s Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan at Khour in Jammu district, JKPCC working president Raman Bhalla said people had been waiting for the restoration of their democratic rights and a governance structure that was 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 alleged that the absence of a fully empowered state government had created a perception among people that several pressing local issues were not receiving the attention they deserved.Bhalla also voiced concern over the delay in holding elections to panchayats, urban local bodies and other grassroots institutions, saying their prolonged inactivity had adversely affected developmental planning and execution at the local level.He said elected representatives at the grassroots played a crucial role in identifying local priorities, monitoring development works and ensuring accountability in public service delivery.
Highlighting the issues faced by daily wagers, casual labourers, need-based workers, contractual employees and other temporary workforce categories, Bhalla reiterated the party’s support for their demand for regularisation.
“It is unfortunate that employees who have devoted the prime years of their lives to public service are still awaiting justice. Their regularisation is not merely an administrative issue but a question of social and economic dignity,” he said, urging the authorities to formulate a time-bound policy to address their concerns.
The Congress leader also expressed concern over staff shortages in schools, colleges, healthcare institutions and various government departments, saying vacancies were affecting service delivery and development.He called for immediate recruitment drives to fill vacant teaching and non-teaching posts and stressed the need to strengthen healthcare institutions facing shortages of doctors, specialists and paramedical staff.
Bhalla further highlighted issues related to drinking water supply and unscheduled power cuts, saying residents in both urban and rural areas continued to face hardships due to inadequate civic infrastructure.He urged the administration to upgrade water supply schemes, strengthen distribution networks and modernise power infrastructure to meet growing public demand.
Referring to unemployment, inflation and challenges faced by farmers, traders and small entrepreneurs, Bhalla said the Congress would continue to raise issues concerning public welfare and democratic rights.
Speaking on the occasion, Congress Jammu district (rural) president Neeraj Kundan said the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan was aimed at reconnecting with people and highlighting their concerns, including unemployment, inadequate civic amenities, staff shortages in essential services and delays in democratic processes.
He said the party would continue to press for restoration of statehood, revival of Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies, regularisation of daily wagers and employment generation for youth in Jammu and Kashmir. ( PTI )