Jammu Declaration- a Dogra narrative  for J&K: Rana

JAGTI, March 14, 2021: National Conference Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana today said that JAMMU DECLARATION should be a proud initiative by the Dogras, of the Dogras for the progressive, prosperous, peaceful and inclusive harmonious growth of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Mr Rana who was addressing a series of public meetings here today said that JAMMU DECLARATION should be in consonance with Dogra ethos of secularism and inclusiveness. He said the assimilative heritage of the Duggarland has provided an umbrella to every segment of society, irrespective of region, religion and caste, which has to be further promoted by reaching out to all sections of people, regions and sub-regions. The initiative under the Jammu Declaration is therefore to seek a place of dignity for all with equal opportunities to prosper and progress. A setup has to be created where under every segment of the population feels empowered and involved in the decision making, he added.

On bridging the gap between various regions and segments of people, Mr Rana called for intra-religion and inter-regional dialogue between all the stakeholders of peace and tranquility, especially as an element of mistrust has been sown by vested interests. There is a need for correcting the fault lines and instilling a sense of confidence among the people so that Jammu and Kashmir is restored to its pristine glory.

Earlier in the day while interacting with a group of youth from Panchayat Sarote of Block Mathwar, Mr Rana shared his concern over burgeoning unemployment, saying the scenario has to be reversed by undertaking fast track recruitment and opening avenues for skilled and unskilled workforce in the job market. He sought an expeditious process of recruitment in the government departments to fill up the vacancies and to earmark 90 per cent jobs in other sectors for the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The administration must evolve a holistic approach in meeting the aspirations of the youth, who are undergoing a phase of despondency due to alarming unemployment”,   Mr Rana said, adding the situation in the wake of pandemic has only worsened the scenario, as retrenchment has added to the already vexed problem.  He said youth empowerment is imperative for harmonious growth of the society and any laxity on this account can prove detrimental.

The Provincial President hoped that the administration would come out with a road map for the youth, covering all aspects of unemployment. Apart from filling up the vacancies, thrust is needed to be laid on employability, keeping in view the number of unemployed. He said the youth empowerment is an acid test for the administration and hoped this will receive priority attention from the government.

Later, Mr Rana also addressed Mazdoor Samelan at Jagti and reiterated the demand for openings in the private sector and major share of the local workforce in execution of various central projects. Also, various categories of jobs in public sector institutions should be exclusively reserved for the locals, as they were the primary stake-holders. Earlier the Samelan elected Mr. Mahinder Kumar Rana as its President.

Mr Rana urged the people during his interactions to work for strengthening the regional unity and communal amity, which alone stands guarantee to peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir.

Prominent among those present on these occasions included Mrs. Shamim Begum, District Development Councillor, Dansal, Ch. Rehmat Ali, BDC, Nagrota, Som Nath Khajuria, Sarpanch Thoru Ram, Master Jagdish, Dwarka Sharma and others.