National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former minister  Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today expressed grave concern over the recent hike in fuel prices, saying the increase would trigger widespread inflation and severely impact every segment of society, particularly the poor, middle class, daily wagers and small traders already struggling under economic distress.
Addressing a public meeting at Tanmah (Majalta) in Udhampur East Constituency, which was organized by Ram Parshotam District President Udhampur and Block President Majalta Shanker Singh, Mr Sadhotra said the decision has come at a time when people across the country are grappling with an unprecedented economic slowdown, shrinking employment opportunities and rising household expenses. He said that any increase in fuel prices directly affects transportation, agriculture, essential commodities and public services, thereby multiplying the burden on common people.
Sadhotra said the hike has exposed the hollowness of the much-publicized claims of economic stability made by the Union Government over the years. The common man is already reeling under inflation and unemployment. Instead of providing relief, the government has imposed another crushing burden on the people, he said.
Referring to the austerity measures recently announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Conference Additional General Secretary termed the fuel hike a huge jolt for the nation. He said these measures indicate that the economic situation in the country is far more serious than what is being projected before the people.
Sadhotra said the Prime Minister should take the nation into confidence and present a clear picture of the prevailing economic scenario, especially in the backdrop of the escalating crisis in West Asia, which has begun impacting global markets and fuel prices. The people of the country deserve transparency and honesty on issues affecting their livelihoods and future, he added.
Sadhotra said that the BJP led NDA dispensation deliberately maintained silence on the deteriorating economic situation till the conclusion of elections and has now started delivering one shock after another to the people. This shows the lowest depth of political opportunism. Vital economic realities were concealed from the public during the election period and now the burden is being shifted entirely onto the shoulders of ordinary citizens, he added.
Sadhotra cautioned that the cascading impact of the fuel hike would soon be visible in the prices of essential commodities and agricultural inputs, thereby aggravating the hardships faced by economically weaker sections. He said the Centre must immediately reconsider the decision and provide relief to the people instead of compounding their suffering.
Calling for a people-centric economic policy, Mr Sadhotra hoped the Centre to prioritize price stabilization and support mechanisms for vulnerable sections. He said economic decisions must aim at strengthening public confidence rather than creating uncertainty and anxiety among people.Sadhotra reiterated that safeguarding the interests of common people must remain the foremost responsibility of any democratic government. Local leaders congratulated and thanked Jenab Omar Abdullah Chief Minister Jammu and Kashmir and Madam Sakina Minister for Education for inauguration of Government Degree College Majalta Building today. They demanded introduction of Science stream in the college so that students desirous to take science subjects could study in Majalta College instead of going outside as poor students cannot afford to go out. They demanded construction of a bridge connecting village Tamma to Daddoa to prove connectivity and assessibilty for the villagers.  Sadhotra assured the participants of the public meeting that local demands raised by them shall be taken at appropriate quarter for redressal. Among others who spoke in the public meeeting are Ayoub Malik Provincial Secretary, Sandeep Singh Manhas, Ashwani Charak, Vishawjeet Singh, Lucky Singh, Veerji Bhat, Abdul
Rashid, Ch Iqbal Famdda, Onkar Singh, Muzammal Hamda, Shanker Singh, Mukesh Thapa, Ghulam Rasool, Gharu Ram Sharma, Krishan Lal Sharma, Raj Kumar Sharma, Master Sita Ram Ex-Sarpanch, Karan Singh, Sunil Dutt, Amit Sharma, Shiv Ram, Haji Falla, Sita Devi, Mohd Dolla, Ballo Begum, Rehmat Akhtar. Additional General Secreraty National Conference and Former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra in a public meeting at Tanmah ( Majalta) in Udhampur East Constituency.