New Delhi, Aug 02: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag-Rajouri, Mian Altaf Ahmad Larvi on Friday said the PM’s catchwords bridging “Dil Ki Doori” and “Dilli Ki Doori” “flies in the face of gross injustices” committed with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In his address during the Motion of Thanks on the President’s speech in Parliament, Mian said the government’s achievements outlined in the speech with regards to J&K “fly in the face of increasing predicaments” faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He expressed concern that the address failed to acknowledge the absence of a democratically elected government in the region since 2014. “In a shocking turn of events, the once proud state of Jammu and Kashmir has been stripped of its status and downgraded to a mere Union Territory. This unprecedented move was vehemently rejected by the people of J&K, Ladakh. The people of J&K and Ladakh have spoken loud and clear – they reject these unjust decisions. It is time for these grave injustices to be rectified. Our statehood must be reinstated, and a strong, democratically elected government should be restored to the region,” he said.
The NC leader brought attention to the “declining conditions” at the prestigious health institute, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in the Lok Sabha.
During his speech in Lok Sabha regarding health grants in the budget, Altaf highlighted the negative impact of stripping SKIMS of its autonomy on hospital management and patient care. “SKIMS is an old health institution of Kashmir whose autonomy was ended by the BJP government. BJP had in its agenda ending autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir but not the autonomy of the SKIMS. Snatching this institution’s autonomy affected hospital management and patient care,” he said.
The MP also referred to the “gross injustices” of handing over state power projects made by the State Hydro Power Corporation to NHPC. “Despite the huge power generating potential, the locals receive only a small share of it, and what they do get is at exorbitant rates. The return of hydel projects has been a prolonged demand of J&K which remains unfulfilled. Nothing is being done to address this issue,” he said.
Is this how they plan to bridge the gap between the hearts of the people and the capital? he asked. “There are no visible initiatives on the ground to make these promises a reality.”
MP Ruhullah raises several issues concerning J&K
National Conference Member Parliament Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi on Friday spoke on several pressing issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the Lok Sabha.
Mehdi began his speech by highlighting the urgent need for the relocation of NEET exam centres for J&K aspirants closer to their homes. “These aspirants face challenges in travelling long distances at short notice,” he said, calling for a more considerate approach to their circumstances.
The MP urged the government to establish a robust policy for the regularisation of thousands of need-based, contractual, and daily wage employees who have been waiting for decades for their status to be formalized. He expressed dismay that many of these employees have exceeded the upper age limit, adding to their plight.
Ruhullah also criticised the reduction in funds allocated for minority schemes, specifically the pre-metric scholarship for minorities in the financial year 2023-24. “This significant cut in funding for minority education programs is a blatant act of injustice that the government must rectify immediately,” he said.
