National Conference Additional General Secretary and Former Minister Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar and hailed the response of the Jammu and Kashmir Government in handling the situation during Operation Sindoor in terms of reaching out to the people in general and the border dwellers in particular. Sadhotra referred to the recent shelling from across the border and grave losses suffered by the people residing in border districts like Poonch, Rajouri, Jammu, Samba, Kathua districts besides Kupwara, Uri, Tangdhar in the Valley, leaving the life completely shattered.
He called for immediate completion of the survey and liberal compensation packages for families who have lost their homes, livestock, and sources of livelihood, and urged the Chief Minister to support the rebuilding of damaged homes and revival of local businesses.
He said the personal reach out of the Chief Minister to affected families have instilled a sense of confidence among them and rekindled hope about their early rehabilitation.
Sadhotra also lauded the bold and timely stand of the Chief Minister on the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), expressing hope that the move will bring significant and lasting benefits to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Sadhotra hoped that the suspension of the IWT will open up new avenues in Jammu and Kashmir for harnessing its rich water resources, especially the Chenab River.
He emphasized the urgent need to utilize the Chenab waters to augment drinking water supply schemes in Jammu, where people have been grappling with acute water shortages due to prolonged summer heatwaves and inadequate water resources.He also underlined the strategic importance of projects like the Tulbul Navigation Lock in Sopore, which could be pivotal in enhancing waterway transport and irrigation in the region.Highlighting the potential of Jammu and Kashmir as a Hydel Power hub, Mr. Sadhotra pointed out that the run-of-the-river waters can be efficiently channelled through existing and future hydropower projects, offering a major boost to the power sector.
Sadhotra hoped the administration under the visionary Chief Minister will expedite steps to utilize the suspension of the IWT to build long-term infrastructure for water security, energy generation, and regional development.
The people are overwhelmed with the response of the Jammu and Kashmir government on this issue of immense importance, he added. Sadhotra urged the Chief Minister for addressing the burgeoning unemployment, which has accumulated during the past ten years. He said the instructions to recruitment bodies for expediting the recruitment process will go a long way in mitigating the concerns of the unemployed youth.
He also sought 70 per cent reservation for locals in various projects and industrial units with thrust on crash training for the skilled and unskilled workforce engaged there. The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to harnessing Jammu and Kashmir’s huge resources for the collective welfare of its people. He assured that both short-term relief and long-term development projects are being planned with a focus on sustainability and inclusive growth.