Srinagar, Sept 08: Former minister and MLA Bandipora, Usman Majid on Sunday released his manifesto for the upcoming assembly election, outlining a “comprehensive vision aimed at transforming Bandipora into a model constituency through strategic development, economic growth, and social inclusivity”.
Addressing the media persons at his residence in Bandipora, Majid said the manifesto has been carefully drafted after extensive consultations with various communities, ensuring it addresses the key concerns and aspirations of the people of the district.
He affirmed his commitment to enhancing connectivity in the Bandipora Constituency. He promised the construction of a four-lane highway from Srinagar to Bandipora to improve accessibility and boost economic growth. He also stressed the importance of introducing rail connectivity to Bandipora, which would link the district to the broader region, facilitating trade and travel.
Education, youth empowerment, and healthcare were major priorities in Majid’s manifesto. He vowed to establish a Government Medical College (GMC) in Bandipora, bringing advanced healthcare education and facilities closer to the people. To empower women and provide accessible higher education, he committed to establishing a Women’s Degree College in Bandipora. Furthermore, Majid promised to create a fully equipped district library with 24/7 access to support students and researchers, and to build an indoor stadium at the district headquarters to nurture local sports talent.
In terms of infrastructure development, Majid plans to construct a bypass road in Bandipora town to reduce traffic congestion. He laid out an ambitious economic development plan. He promised to establish a fruit mandi in Bandipora with cold storage facilities to support local farmers and boost the economy.
Women’s empowerment is another key focus of Majid’s manifesto. He promised to establish cutting and tailoring centers for women in Bandipora and Naidkhai, providing vocational training and employment opportunities. He also pledged to improve school facilities for girls by dedicating funds to construct clean and sanitary toilets in schools throughout the constituency.
Majid also outlined plans to enhance public services and safety by constructing separate fire stations in key blocks like Arin, Aloosa, Bonakoot, Naidkhai and Shahgund. He also promised to set up essential healthcare services in remote villages, particularly for tribal communities like Gujjars, Bakerwals, and Paharis.
In his manifesto, Majid reaffirmed his commitment to fostering unity and preserving the cultural and traditional heritage of Kashmiri Pandits residing in Bandipora while promoting communal harmony between Muslims and Kashmiri Pandits. He vowed to fight for the rights of socially disadvantaged castes, such as fishermen living on the banks of Wular, and tribal communities by implementing the Forest Rights Act of 2006 and addressing any harassment they face.
Majid further promised to advocate for the rights of contractual lecturers, including salary enhancements to match those of their counterparts in Ladakh. He also pledged to increase the monthly assistance for disabled individuals from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000, ensuring they receive the support they deserve.
