Viability of Self Rule vision already established: Mehbooba

Scoop News May 02, 2012

Srinagar, May 02 (Scoop News) – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has said the self rule vision presented by her party was already being implemented on ground in certain ways. Addressing party sympathizers and workers at Makhdoom Sahib Khanyar, Brarinambal Habakadal and Chandpora Harwan here today. She said self rule had emerged the only viable and feasible solution to the problem of Jammu & Kashmir. “Whether it is trade and travel across the LOC or opening of traditional routes with out side world that connect the state to regions as far as central Asia are already on the table between India and Pakistan”, she said.

Chief Spkesman Naeem Akhtar, District president & MLC Mohd Ashraf Mir, Secretary Coordination Ab Hameed Kosheen, Aadil Jan, Mudasir Khan, Nisar Ahmad Mandoo, Firdous Ahmed also spoke on this occasion.

Mehbooba said important principles had been settled in allowing travel across the LOC without passport and visa and trade without formalities of import , export and custom duty. These principles were now being built upon by the two countries in their bit to find a lasting solution that brings relief and satisfaction to the people of Jammu & Kashmir. She said when this vision is fully implemented it would liberate the state from an artificial siege that had suffered in the wake of partition while all other proposals for resolution had only been used for political exploitation and power bargaining.

Similarly, Mehbooba said the issue of the exploitation of water and power resources of the state represented a major economic concern for the people of the state. She said the state had been reduced to a begging bowl by handing over its immense water resources to NHPC without even as much as a formality of an MOU.She said unless the state is duly compensated for the huge loss it is suffering on this account , it can never become economically self reliant which is fundamental for the self respect of its people. “How can we generate dignified and gainfull employment for the six lakh unemployed youth who have been reduced to menial jobs in absence of resources unless we settle this issue with centre judiciously”, She wondered.

Mehbooba said even though Srinagar city had politically been exploited by the ruling NC for more than six decades and the party had failed to respond to its growing needs of development. She said most of the city has been degenerated into a slum, traffic problem have assumed dimensions of a crisis and if the government is not able to manage the streets how can it address larger issues. She said the dog mannace is threatening lives of the people and scores of them are getting bitten every day and it seems the government is enjoying the plight of the people with whose eight representatives in the assembly and one in the parliament, the NC is enjoying luxuries of power.

Mehbooba said the present government has subverted all the projects and schemes started for Srinagar by the preceeding PDP- Congress coalition. She said the beutification of Jehlum, rehabilitation of slum dewellers, development of Eidgah, construction of seven fly overs and creation of more tourism facilities had all been shelved. On the one hand urbanization is expanding with transfer of population from villages where they don’t find enough amenities and on the other hand the city is getting choked because of a lack of vision for its present and future needs.She said the present govt had failed to benefit the people from such revolutionary programmes as Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded shemes and JNNURM which have completely transformed other cities.

Mehbooba said that her party would take up effectively the rehabilitation issues of the weaker sections of the people of Tujgari Mohalla and Sheikh Mohalla in Khanyar constituency. Similarly the issue of discrimination in payment of compensation for acquisition of land and properties in Brari Nambal area would also be taken up.She endorsed the need for the widening of Harwan road and alos removing bottle necks on the Beualevard that leads to huge traffic congestion putting the tourists and large local population to discomfort.

Zone Presidents Muneeb Ah Bhat, showkat Hafiz, Mohd Shafi Mir, Youth general secretary Showkat Gayoor, youth Organising secretary Syed Irfan and district youth president Jahangir Wani were also present and spoke on this occasion.

More http://scoopnews.in/det.aspx?q=20730