Political leaders meet, discuss prevailing situation in J&K ‘Broader platform needed for alternative policies’ Srinagar, Sep 25: In order to discuss the prevailing situation in Jammu and Kashmir, a meeting of following political leaders took place at Srinagar today. Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami CPI (M) State Secretary, Hakim Mohammad Yasin president PDF and MLA, Sheikh Abdul Rehman former MP and state president Samajwadi Party, Muzaffar Shah ANC senior vice president, Abdul Rashid Kabuli former MP and president JKNDF, ID Khajuria president International Democratic Party, Abdul Rehman Tukru state secretary CPI and Sanjay Saraf youth president Lok Janshakti Party participated in the meeting and adopted the following communiqué: “There is more than a single layer of problem that confronts the people in Jammu and Kashmir. And at its heart is the political uncertainty. This essential factor has had a huge impact all these years of the turmoil on all important dimensions of day to day life. From deprivation of political rights, transparency, accountability, effective and participatory governance the people here have been facing a range of challenges like irresponsive administration, price rise, corruption, ever increasing unemployment, malpractices, favoritism, lack of accountability and delayed justice. Holding Round Table Conferences, appointing interlocutors and then sleeping over their recommendations has virtually eroded the credibility of the political process in Jammu and Kashmir. We are of the considered opinion that there is no security solution to the Kashmir issue and the leadership of India and Pakistan need to exhibit statesmanship to find out acceptable solution to all outstanding issues including Kashmir. India and Pakistan can not afford to continue with the present hostile atmosphere and for this alternative solutions are to be looked into. It is our firm belief that only a sustained, meaningful dialogue can lead the two countries towards that goal. We all understand that discussions on Kashmir issue can be at variance, but the sense of denial of political rights has persisted across all debates and discussions focusing unrest and discontentment among people of Jammu and Kashmir. There is general perception and rightly so, that people of Kashmir have been suffering from broken promises, shrinking democratic space and economic deprivation. All this has led to dejection and disappointment. The recent civilian killings in Gool and Shpoian demand a serious approach and appraisal. And any attempt to adopt casual and insensitive approach can only precipitate the crisis further. These unfortunate killings only refresh the memories of firing on protestors in 2010. Instead of prosecuting the guilty, administration is only relying on curfews and indiscriminate arrests of youth. While the youth in other parts of the country have assumed a centre stage, the youth here continue to face adversities and exclusion. There has been an unprecedented pressure on youth of Jammu and Kashmir, as they are worst victims of the two decades old turmoil. The denial of justice and merit has substantiated the strong perception among the youth that they have never been treated at par with the youth belonging to other states of the country. In our State the number of unemployed youth increases by several thousands. According to economic survey there are over 6.01 lakh unemployed youth who are registered in various district employment exchanges. Despite having a huge number of vacancies in different government departments, the successive governments here have not been able to create and tap employment opportunities and rise up to the expectation of the people. Cashing upon the helplessness of our unemployed educated youth, the government has unfortunately resorted to adhocism, contractualisation, casualisation and engaging youth on need basis. However, these policies have left the people suffering for want of their wages which they hardly get after months together. There is more than a single layer of problem that confronts the people in Jammu and Kashmir. And at its heart is the political uncertainty. This essential factor has had a huge impact all these years of the turmoil on all important dimensions of day to day life. From deprivation of political rights, transparency, accountability, effective and participatory governance the people here have been facing a range of challenges like irresponsive administration, price rise, corruption, ever increasing unemployment, malpractices, favoritism, lack of accountability and delayed justice. Holding Round Table Conferences, appointing interlocutors and then sleeping over their recommendations has virtually eroded the credibility of the political process in Jammu and Kashmir. We are of the considered opinion that there is no security solution to the Kashmir issue and the leadership of India and Pakistan need to exhibit statesmanship to find out acceptable solution to all outstanding issues including Kashmir. India and Pakistan can not afford to continue with the present hostile atmosphere and for this alternative solutions are to be looked into. It is our firm belief that only a sustained, meaningful dialogue can lead the two countries towards that goal. We all understand that discussions on Kashmir issue can be at variance, but the sense of denial of political rights has persisted across all debates and discussions focusing unrest and discontentment among people of Jammu and Kashmir. There is general perception and rightly so, that people of Kashmir have been suffering from broken promises, shrinking democratic space and economic deprivation. All this has led to dejection and disappointment. The recent civilian killings in Gool and Shpoian demand a serious approach and appraisal. And any attempt to adopt casual and insensitive approach can only precipitate the crisis further. These unfortunate killings only refresh the memories of firing on protestors in 2010. Instead of prosecuting the guilty, administration is only relying on curfews and indiscriminate arrests of youth. While the youth in other parts of the country have assumed a centre stage, the youth here continue to face adversities and exclusion. There has been an unprecedented pressure on youth of Jammu and Kashmir, as they are worst victims of the two decades old turmoil. The denial of justice and merit has substantiated the strong perception among the youth that they have never been treated at par with the youth belonging to other states of the country. In our State the number of unemployed youth increases by several thousands. According to economic survey there are over 6.01 lakh unemployed youth who are registered in various district employment exchanges. Despite having a huge number of vacancies in different government departments, the successive governments here have not been able to create and tap employment opportunities and rise up to the expectation of the people. Cashing upon the helplessness of our unemployed educated youth, the government has unfortunately resorted to adhocism, contractualisation, casualisation and engaging youth on need basis. However, these policies have left the people suffering for want of their wages which they hardly get after months together. Dismembering the constitutional and administrative institutions beyond repair has played a considerable role in deteriorating the situation. This is also a factor why Jammu and Kashmir seems not lagging behind other most corrupt states on menacing corruption, unaccountability and non-transparency. Draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), needs to be revoked similarly, there should be a complete review of draconian Public Safety Act (PSA). Economy continues to remain in shambles. Proper planning is nowhere in sight. Top heavy and oversized administration is an unbearable burden. State is getting trapped into acute debt vortex with every passing year and this moving backward trend does not catch sight of those who day in and day out chant much hyped development. The thrust should have been on improving agriculture and horticulture which continue to provide livelihood to nearly 80% of our population. It should have been the endeavor of the government to make agriculture sector attractive by further subsidization of fertilizers, pesticides and farm equipments and also reducing the interest on farm loans, besides enhancing allocations for irrigation sector. Moreover effective measures are required to check the import of substandard farm ingredients. There is no effort to introduce crop insurance scheme in the State despite promises made in and outside the legislature. Similarly, plans for reviving the handicraft sector in the state seem to have fallen flat. On one hand the monopolists in the handicrafts business have earned huge money but on the other the talented artisan, who actually makes these master craft pieces, is nowhere in the picture. He is debt ridden and he can hardly make his both ends meet. Similarly tourism having a vast potential to contribute to our economy is still unexplored. Not only new destinations need to be discovered but a comprehensive infrastructural plan is need of the hour. The government is turning deaf ear and blind eye to the acute day to day problems the working people are confronted with. The sky touching prices of commodities is another area of serious concern. While the essential commodities have gone out of reach for the poor people the latest hike in fuel prices will have a cascading effect on people already burdened by the price rise. Power crisis is one of the major worrying factors. Recommendations of various panels that the power projects currently with the NHPC should be returned to Jammu and Kashmir substantiates our demand. It is surprising that these projects have not been returned sofar despite the recommendations of C. Rangarajan Committee, Working Group constituted by the prime minister and interlocutors. We fail to understand that who else should now recommend the same, before the NHPC returns pour power projects? Similarly, the losses which the Jammu and Kashmir is regularly bearing due to the Indus Water Treaty should be compensated. The Faulty Public Distribution system is another problematic area. Every citizen has the right to food which needs to universalized and not targeted. In our state ration is being provided as per 2001 census instead of 2011. The demand to provide ration to all the families at RS 2 per Kg is justified. The least government can do is to provide ration on the basis of 2011 census. Any further delay is unwarranted. The woes of displaced, migrants and released militants are increasing in absence of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. There seems the much hyped schemes for rehabilitation of youth who have shunned the path of violence are not working on ground. The loopholes need to be plugged. Above all we are extremely saddened by the latest episode of communal clashes in Kishtwar. This should not be taken in isolation as some divisive tendencies are increasingly emerging in our society which is not only a disturbing trend but has no place in our pluralistic ethos. These tendencies are fraught with dangerous consequences and should not be underestimated. The resilience of the people is who did not succumb to the nefarious designs of the vested interests is appreciable. Let there be no vacillation that the future of our state lies in diversity, brotherhood and communal harmony. The age old and time tested diversity of our state needs to be protected and preserved for our future. We appeal all political, social organizations, civil society groups, intelligentsia, academicians and particularly the youth to come forward so that a broader platform for struggle is evolved for alternative policies.
Posted on: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:37:45 +0000
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