Seeking decisive mandate of the people to implement revolutionary policies of the Congress in Jammu and Kashmir, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that only Congress can ensure equitable and balanced development in all the regions and sub-regions of the State.In a statement to KNS he said that Congress has proved how to accelerate developmental activities in the backward and neglected areas like Chenab Valley.“Only Congress can ensure continuity in the ongoing developmental activities in backward regions like Chenab Valley,” Azad said and sought support of the people to implement developmental agenda of Congress in the State.
Addressing series of public meetings at Doda and Bhaderwah in support of party candidates Abdul Majid Wani and Mohammad Sharief Naiz, he said that credit goes only to Congress for bringing neglected Chenab Valley region on the developmental map of the State. “Before 2002 Chenab Valley region remained neglected and marginalized for decades together due to the discriminatory policies propagated by the successive state governments. After 1947, it was only after 2002 that this region was brought on the developmental map and a comprehensive policy was formulated for the over-growth of this region,” he said and added that every sector be it road network, health, education, tourism, etc were improved due to sincere efforts of Congress Party.“What was the conditions of this region before 2002?” he asked the people and added that Chenab Valley before 2002 was the most backward area of the country.
The former CM said that UPA-I, and UPA-II regimes had provided adequate funds for the over-all growth and development of this region. “Although Congress has sincerely worked for the development of this region but lot more needs to be done for Chenab Valley,” he said and called upon the people to vote Congress candidates in the coming assembly elections to give new push to developmental activities in Chenab Valley.“Chenab Valley has not reached the pinnacle of development during Congress rule, but I can claim with all the confidence at my command that we have made sincere and visible effort to initiate developmental activities. It is the will, sincerity and intention which matters,” the Congress leader said.
Urging the people of Chenab Valley to maintain similar unity and togetherness which they have shown since 2002, Azad said that enemies of Chenab Valley are unnerved by the progress which the people of this region have seen during the Congress rule, that is why, planned and systematic efforts are being made to pide them on the basis of region and religion.Azad also mentioned decision of the UPA Government to open medical college at Doda. “Opening of medical college at Doda would help in providing advanced health facilities to the residents of Chenab Valley at their door steps,” he said and added that not specialists and super-specialists would teach students in the medical college but they also provide advanced healthcare facilities to the common people closer to their homes.
Referring to the development of Bhaderwah, which has been his constituency as Chief Minister, Azad said that while many developmental initiatives have been taken by him to improve and upgrade the developmental profile of Bhaderwah since 2002, as Union Health Minister he also approved setting up of National Institute of Medicinal Plants under 12th Plan and J&K Government has conveyed the availability of land and other formalities to the Health Ministry, however, NDA Government at Centre is delaying its execution on flimsy pretexts.While campaigning for party candidates, Azad also highlighted achievements of the UPA government especially revolutionary steps taken by the government to improve socio-economic conditions of the people living below poverty line. He regretted that revolutionary Food Security Act, which was implemented all over the country, was not extended in J&K due to political reasons.
Without naming any political party, Azad said that some parties thought that Congress would exact political mileage of this revolutionary Act, therefore, hurdles were created in extending this Act in J&K.Earlier Azad accompanied Congress candidate Abdul Majid Wani who filed his nomination papers at Doda. An impressive road show was conducted before Wani filed his papers. Thousands and thousands of people participated in the road-show at Doda.
In the function at Doda, former Inspector General of Police, P R Manhas, who belongs to Khellani area of Bhaderwah constituency and Attaullah Khan, founder member of PDP joined Congress. Azad said that with the joining of people like IGP Manhas and Attaullah Khan, a seasoned political, Congress Party in the region. Besides, many political workers of BJP, NC, PDP also joined Congress Party in front of Azad Later Azad accompanied Mohammad Sharief Naiz, who today filed his nomination paper as party candidate from Bhaderwah assembly constituency. Thousands of people of were part of the process which was taken out before Mr Naiz filed his papers.Former Advocate General Aslam Goni, P R Manhas IGP (Retd), Naresh Gupta, MLC, Jeeya Lal Sharma and others also spoke in the meetings.