Demanding restoration of statehood to J&K, LJP national spokesperson Sanjay Saraf on Wednesday said that the promises made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament have not been progressed despite passing over a year now.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), LJP leader Sanjay Saraf was addressing a media gathering in Kashmir Press Club wherein he said that J&K is a difficult region due to its geographical location. He said there is a delay in the implementation of administrative orders due to lack of statehood, which makes it difficult to meet the set targets. He urged the central government to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
Saraf said that the valley, along with other parts of the country, has been hit hard by lockdown. “Closure of schools and other institutions due to the pandemic has caused severe hardships to students and other communities”, he said adding the online educational system has also affected due to slow internet speed. He urged upon authorities to restore high speed internet services across the Valley for the larger benefit of people.
He asked authorities to clear its stand over school fees. “Though the educational institutions have been badly hit and closed for last six months, how can be parents able to pay their dues when economy of every household worsened during pandemic?”, LJP leader said.
He advised that only tuition fee should be collected from the students and there is no justification for paying other expenses. He also asked authorities to support the private educational sector and help them in paying salaries to their employees in tough times.
Saraf demanded effective measures to curb the growing drug menace in the Valley and requested LG Manoj Sinha to intervene in the matter. “Youngsters have become victim of drug mafia, so retreating them from plunging into this trade required strict action against those who promotes this anti-social business”, he said. He added that there is a need to crack down on those who are putting Kashmiri children in this quagmire.
Expressing concern over the shortage of drinking water in the valley, especially in Srinagar, the LJP’s in-charge of Kashmir affairs said that the valley is rich in water resources, but it is surprising that people are still deprived of drinking water. He said that schemes need to be taken up to provide drinking water to every household by utilizing the existing resources so that people can get rid of these problems.
According to KNS, LJP leader demanded the Lieutenant Governor that the bureaucrats should also be directed to join the public Darbars. He said that the in the absence of elected government and representatives in the region bureaucrats have to play this role.
Meanwhile, on the occasion, more than 60 activists including 30 women joined party ranks. (KNS)