Jammu, May 9 : Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Saturday hit back at Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma over his remarks that the National Conference-led government was “on ventilator support”, saying the ruling dispensation was elected by the people in accordance with the Constitution of India.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to a polytechnic and ITI institution, Choudhary said the focus of the government was on strengthening skill education and employment opportunities for youth in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Polytechnics and ITIs prepare skilled children. We want good subjects and courses so that students study well and get employment,” he said, while urging Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to introduce more job-oriented courses in technical institutions.
Responding to Sharma’s remarks, the deputy chief minister said he could only “laugh” at such statements.
“Sometimes he makes good jokes. He has come from a long distance and perhaps does not understand the real issues of the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Choudhary said.
He accused previous BJP-PDP governments of failing to address unemployment and basic public issues in the Union Territory.
“For the last 11-12 years, unemployment increased under your governments. You do not talk about unemployed youth or the lack of basic facilities in hospitals,” he said.
Choudhary also alleged that the Jal Jeevan Mission launched during the previous administration had failed to provide adequate drinking water to people.
“You established the Jal Jeevan Mission, but people are still not getting water. We are trying to fix those problems,” he said.
The deputy chief minister further alleged that teaching posts were frozen during the previous regime, affecting employment opportunities for youth.
“We are not nominated or selected. We are elected representatives chosen under the Constitution of India,” he added.
