Stating that the poor infrastructure in Srinagar especially in the Amirakadal constituency has hampered the economic growth prospects of Kashmir, Syed Altaf Bukhari Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senior leader and party candidate for Amirakadal constituency on Sunday said that the State needs a planning mechanism to catch up with rest of the country.According to a statement issued to KNS while addressing a series of workers meetings at Kursoo Rajbagh, Mehjoor Nagar, Ikhrajpora and Armwari areas of Amirakadal constituency, Bukhari observed that Amirakadal which has the distinction of being the heart of business, governance and tourism activities in the summer capital of the state had to face the brunt of turmoil, poor planning and the lack of political will. He said, while the State was facing a huge infrastructure deficit, spanning both economic and social sectors, Amirakadal was the worst hit constituency especially in the last over five and a half years of present dispensation.
The PDP candidate for Amirakadal emphasized the need for setting out a broad contextual framework for a long-term development strategy for this constituency, taking into account its peculiar development problems and the infrastructural requirements. He also rued that the geuest house owners are being pushed from pillar to post for licensing. “My firsthand account of this constituency reflects a dismal scenario of administrative inertia and political ineptitude. Who can imagine that the inhabitants of this most important constituency of the State will be craving for drinking water, hassle free power supply, ration, kerosene, drainage system, sewerage treatment, macadamized roads, transformers, quality healthcare and education, transport facilities, recreation facilities for children and even dustbins in 21st century?” Bukhari remarked.
He said that the dismal developmental scenario of Amirakadal is primarily a direct result of mis-governance, wrong policies, and inefficient planning of the state’s economic resources. “It is obvious that in this disappointing scenario people have every reason to get disheartened and feel dejected with the present system. And that is why the public anger got reflected in the recently concluded Lok Sabah elections wherein the people through the power of their vote forced the political veterans of National Conference to eat dust,” he added.Referring to the youth of Amirakadal constituency, Bukhari said that they have been the worst victims of the present government’s policy of favoritism, nepotism and corruption and more particularly, their present so called representative in the assembly seems more concerned about his party politics rather than focusing on the hapless people of Amirakadal who had given him mandate to mitigate their sufferings.Terming the harassment and intimidation of his workers especially those belonging to the youth wing of the party a clear manifestation of anger, frustration and defeat, Bukhari said that National Conference has conceded its defeat even before the upcoming elections. He urged the police and civil administration not to get misused by the ruling National Conference for its petty political interests. “Times have changed. This time people of the State especially in Amirakadal constituency have decided to defeat nefarious designs and political gimmicks of the National Conference. People also understand that their future lies in PDP and it will be only under the able-leadership of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed that Kashmir will witness a socio-economic and political stability very soon,” Bukhari maintained.
He said the summer capital particularly the Amirakadal constituency has suffered extreme neglect till now and has also suffered on all counts and PDP is well aware about the problems and concerns faced by the people. Bukhari said that PDP will try its best to address the problems being faced by the inhabitants of new colonies in the constituency. He assured the party workers like other areas of the state, development of the Amirakadal constituency will also be among the foremost priorities of the party once it is voted to power.On this occasion, Abdul Hamid Kosheen State secretary, Haji Parvez Ahmad district coordinator Srinagar, party leader Mohammad Altaf Dar, Anjum Fazili party incharge of women wing, Jeela Rafiqi and party leader Nanee Singh, Imtiyaz Ahmad and Jehangir Ahmad addressed the meetings. (KNS)