Awami Itihad Party (AIP) president and MLA Langate Er Abdul Rashid on Monday accused the successive governments of neglecting the Chenab Valley and Pirpanchal saying the regions don’t even enjoy the basic life amenities.He also accused the companies like NHPC and JP Associates of “selfishly exploiting the natural resources of Chenab region”.“While coffers are thrown open for development of Leh without any justification, the Chenab valley and Pirpanchal regions are being left out without being provided the basic amenities to its people,” Er Rashid said while addressing a public gathering at Chanderkot and Banihal as part of his three-day Chenab Valley visit.He said if Leh and Kargil could get Hill Development Councils, what stops the government from providing same councils for Chenab and Pirpanchal regions to ensure equitable development.
The AIP president said the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7 inaugurated Baghilar Project but the JP Associates which executed the Project violated all the labour laws and badly exploited employees.“The management of the said company is acting like East India Company and is trying to cancel all the agreements made with hundreds of employees unilaterally with the full support of state and the Central government," he said.Er Rashid reiterated his demand of establishing one prestigious institution from IIT, IIM and AIIMS each at Pirpanchal, Chenab and Jammu regions.Advocate Taqueer Zia, Shabir Ahmad Zargar and several respected citizens of area also spoke on the occasion. (GNS)