Srinagar, Sep 14: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Monday said the demands of protesting National Health Mission (NHM) employees were genuine but appealed to them to call off their strike, saying the Omar Abdullah government remained committed to fulfilling the promises made in the National Conference manifesto.
Choudhary said the NC had made a five-year commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and would fulfil the promises made in its manifesto.
“As far as NHM is concerned, those on strike have very genuine demands. They are doctors, and their parents have worked hard to educate them. Today, they are serving people in hospitals, including those who come from far-off areas,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said he had met representatives of the NHM employees and appealed to them to end the strike.
He also linked the difficulties faced by the government in implementing its promises to the delay in restoration of J&K’s statehood and what he described as inadequate funding from the Centre.
Choudhary said the NC government had made its election promises on the expectation that J&K would regain statehood after the Assembly elections, along with funding in line with a full-fledged state.
“It has been two years, but the BJP people are roaming in the streets and raising slogans. Tell them that they too had promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir that statehood would be restored,” he said.
He claimed that the funding being received by J&K was not enough to meet the requirements of a region with the size and needs of a state.
Choudhary also said the government had resolved the issue of doctors’ stipends and would similarly act on other commitments, including regularisation-related demands.
“We have made a promise. We will do it,” he said.
Taking a dig at Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma, Choudhary also questioned his political record and alleged that he had moved between political parties depending on where power lies.
He further challenged Sharma to explain alleged irregularities in projects in Doda and the Chenab Valley, asking who was protecting a person and under whose instructions he was supplying material to various projects.
Choudhary said he had held a meeting with the Doda Deputy Commissioner and senior district officers following issues raised by local representatives, including MLA Mehraj Malik.
“I have taken note of the issues raised and given directions to my colleagues. The Deputy Commissioner will monitor them and we will try to rectify them completely,” he said.
