HM assures restoration of J&K statehood after assembly elections, claims AP

Srinagar, Oct 05: Apni Party (AP) president Syed Mohammad AltafBukhari led a high-level party delegation to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Rajbhawan in Srinagar.
A statement from the party said that the delegation gave Home Minister a memorandum that contained several demands including restoration of statehood to J&K and holding of assembly elections.
The statement claimed that during the meeting, the Union Home Minister assured Apni Party leaders that the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be restored soon after the assembly elections are held here.
The meeting was held in a conducive atmosphere and the Home Minister was kind enough to pay attention to the demands and issues that the leaders raised during the meeting, the statement said.
Also, the memorandum contained the demand for transparent and fast recruitments in J&K. It reads, “Recently, it was observed that the merit list for various government vacancies was quashed given the lack of transparency and alleged malpractices. The youth of J&K have immensely suffered due to the quashing of lists, resulting in loss of precious time and looming uncertainty, particularly on account of the age bar. This also results in pendency in filling up departmental posts. It has also been observed that the verification process for such recruitments is cumbersome and time-consuming, hence loses its essence and results in forfeiting equal opportunities to the concerned aspirants.”
Moreover, the memorandum demanded GoI ensure tax-free apple imports from Iran via Afghanistan is stopped to safeguard the domestic fruit industry.
The memorandum reads, “The apple growers and traders in Kashmir Valley continue to face hardships after hundreds of fruit-laden trucks are unable to pass smoothly on Jammu–Srinagar National highway. The Apple industry, worth Rs. 12,000 Crore, is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy. As many as 3.5 million persons are directly or indirectly dependent on the apple trade, contributing about 8% to the region’s GDP. The Fruit Growers and traders, however, have faced multiple hardships and downsides since January 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic.“
It further said, “The apple trade at present is also marred by low prices for the produce. The rates, according to the farmers, have plummeted to half in what many see as an outcome of tax-free imports from Iran via Afghanistan which affects the economy of J&K.”
In addition, the memorandum requested the government to ensure the completion of projects such as the construction of long pending projects (Sadhna Tunnel, Mughal Road Tunnel, Sinthan tunnel, and Lolab-Bandipora Tunnel).
Moreover, the memorandum contained the demand for the formation of a genuine and judicious verification policy in respect of those candidates who are selected for various Government jobs.
Further, the memorandum contained an appeal to the government for raising additional special battalions, particularly in border regions to create job opportunities and halt the flow of misguided individuals who are the worst enemies of peace and prosperity while playing in the hands of our enemies.
The memorandum also demanded the implementation of the recommendations about the OBC in letter and spirit. It reads, “The delegation firmly believes that it is high time that recommendations in respect of OBC are entirely implemented in letter and spirit. ApniParty fervently appeals to the Union Government to include Jatts community in OBC category.”