In an interaction with senior leaders of PDP here today Mufti said the problems on account of power, rations and water and galloping prices had created an unprecedented situation whereas the government pronouncements on development remained confined to press statements
and photo ops. He said it was no wonder that people were up in arms forced to demonstrate for everything that should have come to them as a right.
Regretting that National Conference had failed in carrying forward the process of political resolution, Mufti said it had failed even in consolidating the gains made by its preceding government. Not to speak of taking any fresh initiative the government had reversed the process by its failure to reach out to people in their hour of need.
Mufti said if the government had only tried to follow up sincerely on the projects started by the PDP led government it could have done a great job on performance front. But instead it is gratifies itself by trying to lay claim on every good initiative made by PDP, be it the opening of routes across the LOC, construction of Mughal road or establishment of Wakf universities to put them in their own account.
“I feel sad when at times they indulge in juvenile pranks in trying to hoodwink public opinion instead of trying to do something productive”, he said.
Mufti said that PDP has set new and progressive standards of governance in the state during its brief rule. The government must realize that after having experienced an administration that solved many problems effectively the people have understood the value of their opinion which could interrupt its daydreaming at the cost of public order. He said people had started comparing the performance of the present government with the PDP administration which augured well for democracy but the inability of the NC government to respond to problems could have a negative fall out on the situation in the sensitive state.
Mufti said that it was disturbing that people were forced to protest on every issue. Even currently scores of people get injured in clashes with police as happened only yesterday at a number of places including Srinagar, Shopian, Hajin etc. “The gathering storm of public discontent has the potential of taking an ugly turn which the Government must recognize”, he added and said that no situation can be tackled through police alone which finds itself almost constantly in confrontation with the masses.
Urging the government to explain to the people the reasons for the sharp deterioration in power situation, ration supply and water Mufti said with same scale of resources people had experienced an up gradation in quality of life after 2002 as never before. What has happened now that power even in the metered areas is disrupted and the electric supply has degenerated to pre 2002 levels? Why it is that ration stores are empty and price control is nobody’s business, he wondered and said it was obviously a case of wilful neglect, inefficiency and apathy.
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