“J&K Youth’s First Right is on Jobs and Resources”
Srinagar: Former Union Minister and AICC J&K Incharge, Bharatsinh Solanki on Tuesday said that the last 10 Years Have Left J&K Youth in Despair.
Solanki was addressing a press conference along with other Congress leaders, to introduce the party’s manifesto for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. He was joined by Pawan Khera, the chairman of the Congress Party’s media department and chief spokesperson, and several candidates from North Kashmir.
He said that the manifesto is not just a document; it is the hopes and dreams of the people of Kashmir, which have been ignored for the past 10 years.
Highlighting the key points of the manifesto, Pawan Khera said the party’s vision aims to restore statehood, create jobs, and address the pressing issue of unemployment in the region. “The unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir is the second highest in the country, and for women, it is even worse,” he added.
Khera said that the Congress Party will provide a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 3,500 to jobless youth until they secure employment.
Khera further said that the party will prioritize providing 100 units of free electricity to families below the poverty line (BPL) and ensure that the youth of Jammu and Kashmir get the first right to jobs and resources in the region. “The electricity produced in J&K is sent outside, but darkness remains here,” he said, adding that the people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve the right to benefit from their own resources.
Khera also spoke about the impact of drugs on the youth of the region, stating, “Unemployment is pushing our youth towards drug addiction. This needs to stop.” He added that the Congress Party plans to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, which was taken away when the region was downgraded to a Union Territory.
The manifesto includes a commitment to providing 99-year leases to landless farmers and investing Rs 2,500 crore in irrigation schemes in every district. Khera said, “Irrigation is crucial here, and it is important to ensure that farmers have access to water.” He further said that the party also plans to offer Rs 4,000 annual income support to landless farmers.
Addressing the health crisis, Khera highlighted the lack of proper health facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Every family in Jammu and Kashmir has experienced loss, and we will introduce a health insurance scheme worth Rs 2.5 million to ensure better healthcare,” he said.
The Congress Party has also promised minimum support prices (MSP) for apple growers, with a guarantee of Rs 72 per kilo for their produce, and 100% crop insurance for all farmers. “Our farmers have been suffering for too long, and it’s time they get the support they need,” Khera said.
“We will also create a Minority Commission within 100 days, and for Kashmiri Pandits, we will reinstate the rehabilitation scheme started by Dr. Manmohan Singh”, he added.
Salman Soz, Congress leader and national spokesperson, also addressed the gathering, urging people to support the Congress Party in its fight against the BJP and RSS. “The BJP has been ruling J&K for the past six years, and they have failed the people,” he said. He added that Congress, in alliance with the National Conference, is determined to restore unity and bring positive change to the region.
He further said that the BJP’s divisive politics would not succeed in Jammu and Kashmir. “The people of J&K are one, and this time, they will reject the BJP and its proxies,” Soz said, expressing confidence in the Congress Party’s prospects in the upcoming elections.
