KL Report
SRINAGAR
Stressing on the need of change in the governance system in Jammu and Kashmir, Peoples Democratic Party president (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti Saturday said the problems faced by the people are direct result of an inefficient and insensitive government at the helm of affairs in the state.
A party spokesman in a statement to KNS said the PDP is holding a valley wide protest demonstration Saturday, January 18th against the criminal negligence of the present government and total collapse of administration in the wake of recent snowfall. The protest demonstrations will be held at all the district headquarters of the Valley to highlight the abject conditions faced by the people as a result of inefficient handling of the situation.
Speaking during a meeting of party legislators, district presidents, zonal presidents and prominent leaders of Kashmir valley at her Gupkar residence, she said the people are facing huge hardships in these severe chilly conditions as the government has been unable to meet the situation arising out of the snowfall which has thrown the life out gear in Valley and the government is seen nowhere to meet the challenge.
Mehbooba said winter is a part of Kashmir’s life so is snowfall. The government generally holds meetings and issues press releases about the so-called response to snowfall, but even few inches of snow buries the entire administration. It has become a familiar feature of winters under the present dispensation and this year is no exception. She, however, expressed the hope that this would be the last winter of woes for the state as the end of this callous government seems clearly in sight. She, however, cautioned that the institutions and administrative machinery have been se severely damaged under the present dispensation that any new government that would succeed it too might find it difficult to set it right immediately
The spokesman said in the meeting it was felt the people are facing worst kind of power situation in spite of the fact hefty amounts are charged as tariff by the Power Development Department. “People are also suffering on account shortage of ration items like-food grains, sugar, kerosene, LPG etc. Ration distributed in the name of so-called uncovered area is done on pick and choose policy. Many areas are still inaccessible as snow has yet been cleared of the roads. Lack quality drinking water has added to the people’s woes,” the spokesman said adding the party has given a weeks time to the government to clear the snow of the roads and improve supplies of essentials to every area of the state.
The PDP president said the change is imminent on the ground and there is need of people’s involvement in realizing a system which will be transparent and accountable. She said it is the PDP’s vision to create a system which will ensure a fair play for all the stake holders in the state, besides providing a clean and accountable administration to the people.
Mehbooba said the present National Conference-led government has taken people for granted and have been always exploiting them for its political ends. She said the PDP believes in clean politics and respects the aspirations of people and that is why it (PDP) delivered much more, than what it had promised, during its brief stint in the government. She said it was with the help of people, PDP could establish a system which changed the notion that things can’t be changed in the state.
Mehbooba said the present government being the anti-people is more anti-youth in its approach and has unleashed a war with them instead of relating with them in constructive way. “Youth have been the main target of this government which has adopted every method to harm them. 90% of the people killed in 2010 were youth; maximum brunt of curfews was braced by them and it is they against whom maximum FIRs have been lodged. Pellet guns and chili grenades have been used to curb their voices,” she said adding it is the PDP’s policy to involve the youth and provide them a platform so that they can realize their creative potential for their own welfare and for the benefit of the state.
She said rampant corruption in the system has pushed the youth to the wall and has been responsible for their disillusionment and anger and PDP will put in every effort to reach out to them with the aim that their voices are heard and their sentiments respected.
