Jammu, Nov 01: Asserting that there is no alternative to an elected Govt, the Apni Party Provincial President, Jammu and former minister S. Manjit Singh on Wednesday demanded restoration of democratic system in Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing his concern over the growing public issues, the former minister said the delay in holding Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Body and Assembly Elections in J&K is unacceptable.
“The elections were delayed without citing concrete reasons. On the ground, the people want the elections to be held so that the public representatives can ensure all-round development and employment for the unemployed youth,” Manjit Singh saidwhile addressing a monthly meeting of Apni Party leaders and workers in Vijaypur.
The Apni Party meeting discussed existing political scenarios and developmental issues being faced by the people.
While addressing the gathering, the former minister appreciated the Apni Party leaders for their hard work and for strengthening the roots of the party in Samba district.
He expressed concern over the delay in PRI, ULB and Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir which has generated a feeling of alienation among the masses in both regions.
“The authorities are making decisions unilaterally by not consulting the public representatives. These decisions have often led to resentment because of anti-people policies,” he said, while citing the Jammu-Pathankot highway which is in shabby condition from Vijaypur to Bari Brahmana.
The highway poses a serious threat to the commuters and locals because the work is in progress in an unplanned and unscientific manner that needs to be reviewed and the administration must investigate the concerns of the people regarding the ongoing work of the highway by NHAI.
“The NHAI work causes long traffic jams and people have to wait for hours together to reach from one place to another from Vijaypur to Bari Brahmana,” he said, adding that the construction apparently handed over to the inexperienced and qualified contractors which is causing a disturbance and threat to the lives of the commuters.”
Meanwhile, he said that the public issues can be resolved by an elected government for which the Assembly elections should be held and Statehood to Jammu and Kashmir should be restored, he added.
“There is resentment among the people in the absence of an elected government and other elected institutions leaving them unrepresented in the government’s decision-making. The authorities work in a wayward manner, which has irked the people,” he said.
Referring to the development, he said that the road infrastructure in border villages is badly damaged, and they need to be widened for free movement of vehicles and villagers. “The single roads connecting the villages often lead to road mishaps. Therefore, proper road connectivity should be provided. The 24/7 electricity and regular drinking water supply should be ensured,” he said.
He further raised the issue of individual bunkers for each family living close to the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kashmir should be constructed by the government keeping in view the hostile situation border.
“The people are worried about their harvest in border areas of Jammu, Samba and Kathua and want peace to be maintained to ensure they do not get displaced, and their crops do not get destroyed,” he said while describing fear among the border residents.
