Centre’s claim of Development only on Paper: Gh Nabi Azad

Srinagar, February 28, 2021: Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad Sunday that the claims of centre about development in Jammu and Kashmir are only on paper and nothing has been done on ground.

He said that all the political parties, “even BJP and RSS, want restoration of Statehood to J&K.

 “In Ladakh region Leh wanted Union Territory status, but Kargil opposed the demand. In Jammu, all political parties, groups, even RSS, want Statehood back.

BJP, National Conference, PDP, Congress, National Panthers Party and other political formations, even RSS, want the statehood to be restored, he said.

In all these regions (Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh), he said, “The land and jobs should be protected for locals only.” Expressing his concern, he said, the erstwhile J&K state is known throughout the world

There is no one in the world, who does not know about Kashmir. However, the state has been reduced to the status of a district,” he rued

Azad said that Jammu would suffer more than Kashmir and Ladakh. “In Ladakh too, Leh, and not Kargil, will suffer more, in the absence of protection of land and jobs for locals,” he said.

He pointed towards the poor industrial sector while making a case for the protection of jobs for locals in J&K. Taking an indirect jibe at the BJP for its failure in ensuring development and providing employment in J&K, Azad referred to, what he said, “spree of Toll Plazas”, prospective Property Tax imposition. He rued that the people of J&K were being overburdened with “a tax regime” despite their poor economic condition.

He said that only an elected government can redress grievances of people. (PTK)