J&K facing severe developmental deficit: Apni Party

Apni Party vice president Zaffar Iqbal Manhas on Wednesday regretted the developmental deficit in urban as well as rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed on an immediate need for the initiation of a democratic process that can remove the major obstacles in rural-urban socio-economic empowerment.
Addressing a meeting of prominent workers of the Shopian district in the party office at The Bund in Lal Chowk, Manhas said the people in almost all major towns are equally dismayed with the functioning of the present dispensation like their fellow citizenry in rural areas of J&K.
According to a statement issued, the meeting was also attended by Apni Party vice president Usman Majid, party provincial president Kashmir province Mohammad Ashraf Mir, party leaders Muntazir Mohi-u-Din, Showkat Gayoor Andrabi, and Irfan Naqib.
Highlighting the mounting sufferings of people, Manhas underlined the significance of Statehood and a popular government in a democratic setup. He said that the Governor rule can never be a substitute to a popular government which unlike the former is accountable before the public.
On the genesis of the Apni Party, Manhas observed that this party emerged after transcending the narrow political considerations thus providing a broad-based platform to meet the socio-economic and political challenges faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He said Apni Party believes in a practical approach to deal with issues facing people and shall never pander to hollow sloganeering.
Manhas also expressed deep disappointment over the neglect faced by the historic Shopian district which is otherwise known for its contribution in agricultural and horticulture produce of the J&K. “Sanctioned in 2014, the work on Zarkan Bridge–a vital connecting link between highly populated areas is pending for the years now. Similarly, the administration seems in deep slumber vis-à-vis work on Kanipora receiving station which was inaugurated in 2011. I appeal to the Lt. Governor to order a time-bound completion of both important projects,” he pleaded.
Manhas also demanded immediate compensation to the orchardists and farmers in terms of KCC loan waiver and other due compensations and subsidies in lieu of crop damages suffered by them due to inclement weather. “The prestigious Mughal road is closed for passenger vehicular traffic which is a gross injustice with the local population from both the sides of this historic road,” he added.
Stressing on the administration to immediately complete the desilting and other works on Shahkhul-Amschipora and Manul-Zowora irrigation canals, Manhas said that the scarcity of irrigation facilities which are incomplete for the last many years are causing huge sufferings to the farmers and orchardists in the district.
He also demanded immediate completion of pending work on Primary Health Center Gattipora including the retaining wall to safeguard its boundaries. “The government must focus on these developmental deficits which are otherwise adding to the already existing alienation among the public,” he opined.