Srinagar, Dec 04: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Tariq Hameed Karra chaired a crucial meeting of district presidents of the Jammu region — Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Rajouri and Poonch — at the party headquarters.
Attended by working presidents Tara Chand and Raman Bhalla and in-charge HQ, Ved Mahajan, Karra said that district presidents are vital functionaries and must play a significant role in strengthening the party at the grassroots level. The policies and programs of the high command must reach every corner of the region, he said.
During the meeting, which lasted over five hours, Karra gathered valuable feedback on organisational matters and the party structure at the district level. He attentively listened to the concerns of each district president and assured them that necessary steps would be taken to bolster the organisational framework.
Karra highlighted the ongoing economic crisis, with people across the country grappling with rising inflation. “The youth are finding it increasingly difficult to secure jobs, and there is a growing sense of despair. People are worried about losing their jobs, their incomes are diminishing, and their aspirations for a better future are shattering,” he said. “There is a deep sense of hopelessness among the people. The Congress Party is duty-bound to address these pressing issues.”
On the contentious issue of the “ropeway” from Katra to Bhawan, the J&K Congress chief said the construction of the ropeway should not come at the expense of local people and their livelihoods. He urged the Lieutenant Governor, who also chairs the Shrine Board, to prioritise the 40,000 people whose livelihoods are entirely dependent on the Yatra — including local shopkeepers, pony service providers, and labourers.
“It is incumbent upon the LG to devise a method that ensures the concerns of all stakeholders are addressed, balancing the needs of Yatra facilities with the livelihood of the affected people,” he stressed.
Karra, who is the MLA from Srinagar Shalteng, underscored the urgent need to restart the historic Darbar Move, calling it a critical economic engine for Jammu. He reminded the meeting that Jammu and Kashmir is the only region in the country with two capitals. “The Darbar Move fosters cultural, economic, and religious exchange between the regions, which is the essence of brotherhood and harmony,” he said.
He lamented the potential loss of this historic practice, which has been in place for 152 years, dating back to 1872. Ending the tradition, he warned, would bring significant hardship and unemployment to the region. “The public demands the restart of the Darbar Move, as it will boost the economy and tourism, and generate thousands of jobs for locals.”
The former minister spoke about the unity of the nation, saying India’s forefathers united the country under the principle of “unity in diversity”, transcending religious, regional, caste and creed differences. “This principle of unity is the strength of our nation. Those who promote divisive slogans are weakening the fabric of our society,” he asserted. (KNS)
