Srinagar, Sept 14: Supriya Shrinate, the Indian National Congress leader and Chairperson of the party’s Social Media and Digital Platforms, on Saturday criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s ten-year rule in Jammu & Kashmir, accusing it of failing to address critical issues like unemployment, corruption and infrastructure development.
In a press conference, Shrinate said the party is committed to restoring statehood and providing solutions to the region’s pressing challenges under a future Congress-led government.
She pointed out the “alarming” unemployment rates in the region, saying joblessness among young women had reached a staggering 48.6%. “The BJP government failed to create sufficient employment opportunities as over 65% of vacancies in government departments remain unfilled, with no action plan in place to remedy the situation,” she said.
One of her key accusations was directed at the government’s handling of local resources. “Under the BJP’s rule, local resources were being diverted to outsiders, 12,000 domicile certificates were issued to outsiders over the past five years. The opportunities meant for the locals have been handed over to others,” she said.
The Congress leader slammed the BJP’s industrial policy introduced in 2021, asserting that only 3% of the promised investments had materialized. “The lofty promises of industrial growth have largely remained on paper,” she said.
She also expressed concerns over the Jammu Power Development Corporation’s installation of smart meters, warning that these devices would lead to an increase in electricity costs for residents.
Promising that a future Congress government would prioritise the welfare of local residents, Shrinate outlined the party’s plans to implement initiatives such as interest-free loans for women and improved healthcare schemes. “These efforts would be part of a broader strategy to empower local communities and ensure they benefit from their own resources,” she said.
Supriya reiterated the Congress party’s commitment to restoring Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood, a move she argued would give local residents greater control over their future and resources. “Under Congress, we will bring back statehood and ensure that the people of Jammu & Kashmir have the opportunity to thrive in their own land,” she said.
