Srinagar, Sept 17: Former Union Minister and All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) J&K Incharge, Bharatsinh Solanki on Tuesday said the last 10 years have left Jammu & Kashmir’s youth in despair.
Solanki was addressing a press conference to introduce the Congress party’s manifesto for the upcoming Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections.
“The manifesto is not just a document but the hopes and dreams of the people of Kashmir, which have been ignored for the past 10 years,” he said.
The Congress party’s manifesto prioritises creating jobs, restoring statehood and addressing the pressing issue of unemployment in the region.
Pawan Khera, chairman of the Congress Party’s media department and chief spokesperson, said the party’s vision aims to provide a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3,500 to jobless youth until they secure employment.
He highlighted the key points of the manifesto, including providing 100 units of free electricity to families below the poverty line (BPL) and ensuring that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir get the first right to jobs and resources in the region. “Unemployment is pushing the youth towards drug addiction and the party plans to restore Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood,” he said.
The manifesto includes a commitment to providing 99-year leases to landless farmers, investing Rs 2,500 crore in irrigation schemes in every district and offering Rs 4,000 annual income support to landless farmers. It also promises minimum support prices (MSP) for apple growers and 100% crop insurance for all farmers.
Khera also spoke about the impact of drugs on the youth of the region, saying that unemployment is pushing them towards drug addiction. He said the party plans to introduce a health insurance scheme worth Rs 2.5 million to ensure better healthcare.
Salman Soz, party leader and national spokesperson, urged people to support Congress in its “fight against the BJP and RSS”. “The BJP’s divisive politics will not succeed in Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
Congress has promised to create a Minority Commission within 100 days and reinstate the rehabilitation scheme for Kashmiri Pandits started by Dr Manmohan Singh. The party has also vowed to restore unity and bring positive change to the region.
