National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former Minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today said the continued delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is severely obstructing its overall development and undermining the aspirations of its people.
Addressing a ‘day-long workers’ convention of Jammu Rural District ‘A’ held under the chairmanship of Raghubir Singh Manhas District President, Sadhotra emphasized that statehood is not merely a political status but a symbol of the people’s dignity and self-esteem.
He said the people of Jammu and Kashmir are yearning for the restoration of their democratic rights that enable them to live with dignity, decide their own developmental priorities, and shape their collective future. “Stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its statehood and reducing it to a Union Territory has not only demoted the status of a historically significant and vast region, but also trampled upon its distinct ethos and identity,” he said, adding that governance from a distance cannot substitute the sense of empowerment that comes with locally elected and accountable governments.
Honouring the popular mandate of the people in this part of the country that has undergone most testing tomes during the past over three decades, he added. Sadhotra said that the prolonged absence of an elected government for over five years and bureaucratic style of functioning had created a democratic vacuum and delayed progress on multiple fronts, particularly youth-centric development and employment.
Now that the people have put in place through their power of vote a democratic government under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah, it has to be allowed to function as per the aspirations of the people, he said.
Sadhotra also voiced serious concern over the rising graph of unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed that proactive steps are urgently needed to fill existing vacancies and to generate fresh employment avenues for the youth. Recalling past initiatives during National Conference-led governments, Sadhotra highlighted that under the leadership of Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Omar
Abdullah, special recruitment drives were conducted for youth in border and hilly areas, especially in the police department. He hoped similar initiatives will contribute in addressing the issue of joblessness. Sadhotra reiterated commitment of the National Conference to the holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the party stands for youth empowerment, inclusive progress, peace, and restoring the constitutional and democratic rights of the people.
Addressing the convention, Ayoub Malik Provincial Secretary emphasized on the rank and file to increase outreach so that the programmes and policies of the government are taken to every doorstep and common people should know that National Conference government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah is implementing the manifesto of the party for the welfare of the people. Many youth joined the National Conference.
The new entrants were welcomed by the Additional General Secretary of the Party. Ved Prakash Sharma was appointed as organizer of the Jammu North Assembly Constituency to organize and identify candidates for Wards of Jammu Municipal Corporation and Sarpanchs and Panchs for General, SC, ST, OBC and Women for Panchayat Elections.
District President Jammu Rural has been asked to constitute a 11 Member Committee to assist Ved Prakash Sharma, newly appointed organizer. Sadhotra congratulated Ved Prakash Sharma and hoped that his zeal and dedication will strengthen the party. Prominent among those who also spoke in the Convention are District Presidents Chander Mohan Sharma, Ch Naresh Bittu and Ram Parshotam Sharma, Dr Rajinder Sharma, Krishan Lal Chalotra, Rakesh Sharma YNC District Youth President, Rajesh Bakshi Ex-District President, Nahar Singh Provincial President Labour Cell, Randhir Singh Chib District Secretary, Tilak Raj Bhagat District Secretary, Aslam Chowdhary Zone Secretary, Sandesh Shan Zone Secretary, Ashwani Charak Block President, Sandeep Singh Block President, Vishaw Samyal Vice President YNC Jammu Rural, Charanjeet Singh Block President Marh, Bishan Dass Bhagat Block President Mandal, Ch Mohinder Lal Block President Khour, Devi Dayal Block Secretary Khour, Manga Ram Sharma Block President, Devinder Singh Block President Mathwar, Parwinder Singh Block President, Ajay Langeh Block President YNC Mathwar, Gourav Jamwal YNC President Bhalwal, Sandeep Manhas, Subash Chander. Additional General Secretary National Conference and Former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra and others in a One Day Convention of Jammu District Rural ‘A’ of National Conference