Apni Party promises to increase pensions, marriage assistance if voted to power

Jammu, Oct 13: Apni Party Provincial President Jammu and former minister, S Manjit Singh on Friday said the party would enhance pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 and marriage assistance for the girls of economically poor sections from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh if it forms the next government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Singh said the Apni Party is committed to providing a government that would work as per the aspiration of the people and there would be no place for any kind of discrimination. “We are committed to providing equitable development, protection of rights of J&K residents, resources, and provide employment to the educated youth,” he added.
The former minister was speaking at a meeting-cum-joining program that was organized by Provincial President Women Wing Jammu, Pavneet Kour, and Dalbir Singh, Apni Party leader here, the party said in a statement, adding that BJP’s ward president, Ravinder Kour along with dozens of her supporters joined Apni Party in presence of S. Manjit Singh.
While welcoming the new entrants into the party, Singh hoped that their joining would strengthen the party at the grassroots level. He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are feeling disappointed regarding the authorities’ ignorance of their genuine demands.
Manjit also expressed his concern over the delay in holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir saying it has generated a feeling of hopelessness among the masses.
“The restoration of the democratic system in Jammu and Kashmir has been delayed for one reason or another although the situation is peaceful and conducive to holding assembly elections in the erstwhile State,” he said.
Referring to the issues being confronted in Jammu plains, he said that the shabby condition of Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar highway has affected the business, commuters and transporters. He said that the compensation cases whose land was acquired by NHAI have accused authorities of discriminating against the land owners/businessmen whose land /shops were acquired but the compensation was not given as per the market value.
The Apni Party leader said the issues of recruitment scams, increasing unemployment, power crises and the installation of the smart meters have added more problems in Jammu that should have been addressed. However, it appears the authorities are unconcerned about the public issues, he said.
In these circumstances, he said it becomes important to hold assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir as soon as possible in a bid to restore the democratic system. “The babus have no connection with the people, and it is important that the present form of government should be replaced by an elected Govt in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He also referred to the smart city project which he said is being implemented in a “half-hearted manner” by the Jammu Municipal Corporation. He also expressed concern over the delay in the scheduled elections of PRI and ULBs in J&K that were announced.