Revisiting Reservation Policy Urged, Rangarajan Committee Recommendations: Tarigami
Nuzhat Mushtaq
Jammu: Senior CPI (M) leader and Kulgam MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami highlighted a significant gap between the government’s lack of authority which needs to be fulfilled with wisdom, understanding and courage.
In an Exclusive Interview with Rashid Rahil Editor-In-Chief Asian Mail, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said that a people’s government has been formed in Jammu and Kashmir after 2018, but it is also necessary to comment on the circumstances in which this government was formed. He said that the list of hopes, desires and expectations of the people of both the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir is quite long, there is no far-fetched opinion in this.
He mentioned, “The folks in Jammu and Kashmir follow diverse religions, speak various languages and hold different beliefs. However, our society, civilization and culture are unified. We encounter common issues such as hunger, unemployment and inflation that affect everyone equally. The worries and grievances of the people in Jammu and Kashmir are legitimate.”
Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, discussing the backdrop of the decisions made on August 5, 2019, remarked, “The situations are so grave that both the provinces are grappling with them equally. Unemployment plagues both Jammu and Kashmir, electricity shortages affect both regions and the job market is shrinking in both areas. These are the harsh realities that reflect our circumstances. In such a scenario, the current government has received a public mandate.”
He stressed, “It’s a bitter truth that there’s a significant gap between the government’s limitations and the people. I echo Omar Abdullah’s sentiment that there are numerous public issues, the current authority possesses adequate delivery capacity.” Tarigami expressed concern, stating, “I fear that under these circumstances, we may struggle to entirely fulfil the people’s hopes and wishes.”
He boldly stated, “We must not let inaction be the cause for the government’s lack of authority and the people’s lack of relief; this scenario should not come to pass.” The member of the Kulgam Assembly advised Omar Abdullah, saying, “My sole counsel to Omar Abdullah is to utilise all available avenues to alleviate the people’s suffering. Even if Omar Abdullah has just one option at his disposal to bring relief to people, he should make use of it for their benefit.”
Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami emphasised, “Leadership plays a vital role in times of crises. The current situation demands wisdom, prudence and courage. It is the duty of leadership to alleviate the people’s suffering, a task entrusted to them through the mandate. Taking such action would indeed be the right course of action.” In response to a query, he mentioned, “The sole solution to the power crises lies in implementing the recommendations to the C. Rangarajan Committee.”
He highlighted the committee’s report acknowledges significant losses faced by Jammu and Kashmir due to the Indus Water Treaty. To address this, he advocated for two power projects to be under the jurisdiction of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting the rightful claim of the region’s people.
Tarigami, stressed that although the water resources belong to Jammu and Kashmir, the inability to construct dams restricts their utilisation. He advocated for a 40 percent share of electricity generated from these resources, challenging the current allocation of 10 percent to each state, emphasising the need for equitable resource distribution.
He mentioned how Jammu and Kashmir deserves compensation for the ongoing losses, but both the previous and the current governments are treating us unfairly. Tarigami stressed, “We demand fairness and the implementation of the Rangarajan Committee’s recommendations to address our grievances.” In a sarcastic tone, he remarked, “Simply installing smart meters isn’t sufficient; the electricity supply itself needs to be smartened up. While smart meters are great at speeding electricity bill generation, the power supply itself is quite disappointing.” He emphasised, “Handing over electricity to private entities won’t solve our issues; transferring it to the public sector could lead to more suitable outcomes.”
Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami emphasised the importance of re-evaluating the reservation policy, stating, “We cannot overlook the concerns and objections of those in the open merit category.” He highlighted the necessity of ensuring justice not only for the marginalised groups but also for the economically disadvantaged individuals qualifying under open merit. Tarigami cautioned against further delays, noting that prolonged inaction could have detrimental consequences. He stressed the urgency of conducting a thorough review of the reservation policy while also addressing the legitimate demands of the open merit category.
In response to another query, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami said, “The changing political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir hasn’t impacted me at all. I’ve been a people’s advocate yesterday and remain one today. If our rightful demands aren’t met, I won’t hesitate to take to the streets. “He emphasised the rich history of J&K, recalling Maharaja Hari Singh’s efforts in 1927 to safeguard the land and employment of the region’s inhabitants. Tarigami highlighted, “This historical event is significant and should be studied. A tangible representation of this is seen in the statue of General Zorawar Singh in the Leh, Ladakh region.”
He further added, “While the discourse on the Article 370 continues, reinstating statehood and preserving the land and job protections initiated by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1927 during the Pandit’s protest is crucial. Their actions impacted Punjab historically.”
