Jammu, Sep 06: Apni Party on Wednesday held a strong protest demonstration here at Gandhi Nagar against the installation of smart and pre-paid meters in Jammu saying these have overburdened the pockets of the general masses.
The protest led by Apni Party Provincial President of Women Wing, Pavneet Kour started from Gandhi Nagar’s Gole Market and culminated in front of Gurudwara sahab in the area, the party said in a statement.
The protesters shouted slogans against the government, and two MPs representing the Jammu region in the Lok Sabha for their alleged failure to represent the aspirations of the people.
While passing through the area from Gole Market to Gurudwara area in Gandhi Nagar, the leaders were carrying placards against the smart meters that are being installed despite strong opposition of the people in Jammu.
“The administration with the police has tried to impose the unilateral decision even after knowing that the number of complaints against them has inflated electricity bills. However, the administration is adamant about imposing the smart meters against the will of the consumers,” said Pavneet Kour while condemning the move.
Kour said the government has taken a “non-serious” approach towards the concerns of the people, and this has given to the feeling of alienation. “An attempt was made to crush the voice of the people who object to the installation of smart meters and pre-paid meters,” she said.
Kour expressed concern over the stoppage of the ration at the government depots and demanded that the CAPD department ensure adequate ration to be supplied to the ration depots across Jammu and Kashmir. She demanded that the old-age pension should be restored in favour of the pensioners so that they could provide financial aid to the ailing persons.
If the government fails to get the issues redressed, the people will give their answer by exercising their votes in the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir, she said.
Meanwhile, the Provincial President Youth Wing, Jammu, Vipul Bali expressed grave concern over the growing unemployment among the educated youth, and drug addiction saying it has given birth to the number of criminal activities. “The crime rate in Jammu has increased following the rise in unemployment among the educated youth. These educated youth, when failing to get employment at a defined age, allegedly indulge in drug addiction that has given rise to mental illness, and anti-social activities,” he said.
“Therefore, the present government should not indulge in diverting the attention of the people from the actual ground situation, but act to address the public grievances,” he added.
