Jammu, Jan 19,: Former cabinet minister and senior leader Sham Lal Sharma, who switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party from the Indian National Congress, had made strong remarks on Kashmir while reiterating his long-standing demand for a separate Jammu state.
Talking to reporters, Sharma claimed that people of Kashmir have no loyalty towards the nation and alleged that unrest in Kashmir has disturbed what he described as the peaceful region of Jammu. He said Jammu would be far better off if it were separated from Kashmir.
Sharma, as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust asserted that Jammu has more natural and economic resources than Kashmir, claiming that Kashmir depends largely on tourism alone. He further said that nearly 80 percent of electricity is produced in the Jammu region and that the region also has a stronger agricultural sector.
Referring to the banking sector, Sharma claimed that 80 percent of deposits in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank come from the people of Jammu. He further alleged that out of nearly Rs 20,000 crore in non-performing assets, Rs 18,000 crore pertain to Kashmir, accusing people there of having swallowed the amount.
Reiterating his demand for a separate Jammu state, Sharma said he assures that Jammu would emerge as the most progressive and peaceful state in the country if separated. He also demanded the establishment of a National Law University in Jammu, stating that funds for the institution are provided by the Centre.
Sharma alleged that Jammu has long faced discrimination and said his remarks reflected his personal opinion. However, he maintained that the idea of a separate Jammu state would sooner or later take root.
Recalling the past, Sharma said that in 2010, when he was a cabinet minister, he had raised the issue of separating Jammu from Kashmir during a meeting when Saifuddin Soz was heading the Congress, arguing that violence in Kashmir was adversely impacting the peaceful atmosphere of Jammu. [KNT]
