Reach out to civil society to get real feel of situation on ground: Bhalla to Govt Intensify vigil and take earnest measures in identifying and booking anti-social elements

Jammu: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla on Friday claimed that there is a complete breakdown as far as law and order is concerned, as far as internal security is concerned. It seems that the Government has no policy, has no kind of action plan, and seems that it is not moved by what is happening in J&K.” “Where is this Government and where is its Nationalism? Does this Government feel that J&K exists and needs attention? We see no urgency, no movement, no political will as far as this Government is concerned,” he said. It is something that shakes the very foundation of the Constitution of this country. It shakes the very faith in the Government responsible for protecting our Borders, our people,” he said.

 The ensuing state of instability and chaos in J&K was a matter of serious concern, which if not taken seriously could prove disastrous. Continuing his campaign to listen to grievances of stressed people amid restlessness among people facing Covid-19 scare in different parts of Gandhi Nagar constituency, former Minister today interacted with people of  Shamali Mohalla, Old Satwari area of Gandhi Nagar constituency. Prominent among those present on the occasion include Amrit Bali,  Pawan Bhagat, Dharam pal, Ram Dyal Pankaj Sawhney, Vijay singh Chib  Harman Singh, Raghbir Singh, Karan Singh Chib,  Rajinder Singh, Jasbir Singh, Bashin Singh Raja, Amti Singh, Ashok Kumar, Karan Gupta beside others.

Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that governance instability, policy inconsistency and the deteriorating law and order situation in Kashmir were reminders of “how the slogan of ‘change’ raised by BJP govt had proven to be a hoax”. Bhalla said the “current atmosphere of despondency, doom and anxiety” in the Valley making things worst in the absence of constructive and reconciliatory politics. He accused BJP Government for the “rapidly deteriorating” situation in Kashmir.  This was being done with a design to seek specific political dividends by the ruling regime,” he alleged. Bhalla said that the BJP Government at the Centre “instead of helping us get out of this vortex of violence was watching as a mute spectator. They seemed to have given up on J&K and failed in bringing in a workable, practical and sensible way-out. He also said that it was time for BJP to do some introspection and listen to voices from the ground and do some corrections. He said that after testing different political parties, now there is a realization among people of Jammu region about their mistake of supporting BJP.  

Expressing shock over the killing of yet another Sarpanch in Kashmir, Bhalla said elected members are also asking questions about why the government expects people to be part of the democratic process if they still have not fulfilled their promises,” he said.He said the panchayat members were assured that Rs 3,500 crore will be transferred directly into the accounts of gram panchayats, provided safe accommodation at district headquarters, and offered insurance between Rs 2-4 lakh per head.So far we have not even heard of any implementation of such assurances to elected members. The killing of political workers and elected Panchayat members is a matter of concern for all. Family members of our Sarpanches and Panches are living under constant fear in such a hostile atmosphere. We appeal to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to direct the UT administration for early conduct of a security audit so that all Panchayat members in vulnerable areas are provided adequate security, said Bhalla.Panchayat members can not contribute for the development of their village and Panchayat as their movement and activities are confined due to security reasons. Terming the killings of panchayat members a grave issue, Bhalla asked   government to provide them security, while asking people to stand united against terror.Government should create a sense of security among the Panchayat members and security should be provided in sensitive areas. We cannot let their life be in danger,” Bhalla said.

Bhalla said the deteriorating law and order situation and the instability in J&K  in the past six years had a direct bearing on the future of the youth. “It is the youth that suffers the most due to the Government’s inability to preserve and nurture peace and stability. It affects their studies, robs them of employment opportunities and creates a sense of hopelessness that is dangerous considering the circumstances in J&K. The biggest injustices against the youth are being perpetrated while the Government has precious little to offer apart from rhetoric and photo opportunities”, Bhalla further added. Former Minister said rising unemployment in J&K was a matter of grave concern and was a telling indictment of the failed policies of the present Government. “Our unemployment numbers are rising and could well have crossed a million unemployed skilled and unskilled young men if an objective analysis is undertaken. With the complete collapse of the Tourism Sector and zero headway in encouraging a private sector growth, diminishing jobs in the Public Sector have created an alarming situation. Especially how even those limited jobs in the public sector have been vanished,” Bhalla said in his address.

 Bhalla said that it is most unfortunate that the common people have no medium to raise their voice for their basic necessities like water, power, healthcare and education due to no elected Govt in J&K. The people have to come on roads to express their anger and seek redressal of their genuine grievances even during the Covid-19 lockdown. The former Minister appealed the new LG administration to put in place a mechanism to ensure uninterrupted supplies and deliveries of essential services to the general public of J&K. He urged concerned departments to work on war foot basis to tackle the situation. Considering the rise in the confirmed coronavirus cases in J&K, Bhalla appealed Administration to upgrade hospitals/infrastructure with the resources available with them. He emphasized that more Government hospital should be fully equipped with doctors, staff and equipment to tackle Covid-19 and that hospitals should be a dedicated health facility exclusively for treating patients having infected with the virus.

 The former Minister accused the BJP of doing nothing for the people of Jammu for the last six years. He said the BJP had been claiming to have done so much during its rule so they should come out with details of works done for farmers, border residents, and youth.  He alleged that the BJP rule was the darkest period for J&K, particularly for the Jammu region as sufferers were the common people, especially youth who were exploited and denied opportunities to get jobs,” he said. Former Minister claimed that with each passing day it’s becoming clear that BJP leaders from Jammu region have not been able to give proper feedback to the policymakers sitting in New Delhi.“It seems that the leaders of J&K BJP have made their national leaders believe that all is well in Jammu and there is nothing to worry about. They seem to have created a notion that whenever the Assembly elections are held in the newly carved out Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir BJP would emerge victorious and the first Chief Minister of the J&K UT will be from their party,” he added. Bhalla strongly maintained that BJP leaders seem to be unaware about the ground realities.Bhalla stated that people had enough dose of misgovernance in the J&K for last six years, saying people have realized that they have to support Congress which can address their issues and fulfill their expectations.