Jammu, Feb 07: National Conference (NC) Provincial President, Adv Rattan Lal Gupta on Friday said the party is committed to the upliftment of marginalised sections. He said the NC government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will fully safeguard the rights of the depressed classes and ensure social justice.
Addressing a programme organised by the party’s SC Cell at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Jammu, Gupta highlighted the “landmark initiatives” of the National Conference for socio-economic empowerment, particularly the revolutionary ‘Land to Tiller’ Act introduced by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, which granted land ownership to the landless, uplifting thousands of poor farmers and ensuring their dignity. “It was the NC government that established institutions like the SC Financial Corporation and SC BC Development Boards, aimed at the economic empowerment of weaker sections,” he said.
Lamenting the plight of the underprivileged, the senior NC leader said that unemployment was rising, and weaker sections were systematically neglected. He accused the previous government of doing nothing for the upliftment of the depressed classes during their nearly ten-year rule in Jammu and Kashmir. “For a decade, the weaker sections of society were ignored, with no concrete policies or initiatives aimed at their socio-economic development. The institutions meant to uplift the SC community were left defunct by the earlier government and no significant welfare measures were implemented,” he stated.
Gupta asked the youth to actively contribute to the National Conference’s mission of uplifting the depressed classes and ensuring social justice. He urged them to work at the grassroots level to spread awareness about the party’s historic contributions.
The provincial president said that under Omar Abdullah’s leadership, the NC government is committed to restoring the dignity, rights, and economic security of the weaker sections. He encouraged the youth, women folk and members of the community to be the voice of the underprivileged and strengthen the party’s movement for equitable development in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The National Conference has always been the torchbearer of social justice. We are the only party with the will and determination to fight for the rights of the underprivileged,” he asserted.
Speaking on the occasion, Vijay Lochan, Chairman of JKNC SC Cell, lauded the National Conference’s historic role in safeguarding the interests of depressed classes. “While the previous regime overlooked the SC community’s concerns, NC remains steadfast in its commitment to their upliftment,” he said, adding, “NC has always stood for justice, equality, and dignity of all. Under Omar Abdullah’s leadership, the party will continue to champion the cause of social justice and ensure a better future for the marginalised.”
On the occasion, Lochan nominated Ramesh Lal Motton as District President Jammu Urban SC Cell JKNC.
