Regional Councils, delimitation, flood-relief, quota for border people our agenda: Azad

Gopal Sharma

Former Union Minister & AICC leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and PCC chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz releasing Congress manifesto in Jammu on Sunday.  —Excelsior/Rakesh
Former Union Minister & AICC leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and PCC chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz releasing Congress manifesto in Jammu on Sunday. —Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, Nov 23:  Former Union Health Minister and senior All India Congress Committee leader Ghulam Nabi Azad today said that delimitation of Assembly constituencies,  creation of fully empowered Regional Councils  for all the regions, three-tier Panchayati Raj system, flood relief work in Kashmir and others parts of the State besides reservation for the people living along IB and rehabilitation of border firing victims of Jammu region in safer zones  will be in the top agenda of the Congress party after it comes to power in the State.
Releasing party manifesto in the company of  Pradesh Congress Committee president, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz (Rajya Sabha MP),  just two days ahead of the first phase of Assembly elections this evening, Mr Azad said that Congress remains committed for the comprehensive devolution of power to all the three regions of the State. If elected to serve, the party will constitute two fully empowered Regional Councils one for Jammu and another for Kashmir. He said separate development councils under the umbrella of  Regional Councils  will also be set up for Chenab Valley and  Peer Panchal region. The party will also constitute Development Committees for the hilly areas of Kashmir region, he added.
Mr Azad said the party could not fulfill some of the promises due to lack of support from the coalition partner. Strengthening Panchayati Raj system in J&K like other states of the country was  in the manifesto of  Congress Party in 2008 elections but it could not be fully implemented due to lack of support from coalition partner. He said providing three-tier Panchayati Raj system would be priority of the Congress Party. Mr Azad maintained that his party has already got the main provisions of the 73rd amendment incorporated in the State Panchayati Raj Act with hard struggle and exerting pressure on the coalition partner. The BDC, District Council elections and setting up of Finance Commission for the Panchayats would be party’s agenda.
Referring to delimitation of Assembly constituencies in the State, Mr Azad said the party remains committed  to introduce a Bill in the new Legislative Assembly  seeking constitution of  Delimitation Commission, for delimiting the Assembly constituencies as per law. He said it was in the manifesto of Congress party during 2002 and even in 2008 elections but both the PDP and NC did not allow it to happen. He said it will again be in Party’s agenda to have Delimitation Commission in the State for meeting aspirations of the people. The seat difference of 13 constituencies will remain the same between both the regions. “We want that with delimitation, the assembly seats should be increased simultaneously in all the regions as per existing ratio,” Azad said.
Azad, who is also Chairman of  the Congress Election Campaign Committee in J&K further said that flood relief and restoration work will be the top priority of the Congress party. He said that party was not happy with the role of BJP led Government at the Centre for poor flood relief and restoration work in Valley and other parts. The victims are still waiting for the relief while no adequate funds were released so far. Besides this, rehabilitation of border firing victims of Jammu, Samba and Kathua area at the safer places and reservation for the people living along the international border in Jammu region will be party’s top priority.
Responding to the allegations of ‘Loot-Khasoot’ by two parties by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kishtwar rally on Saturday, Mr Azad said, “ Modi ji used much harsh words. He is Prime Minister of the country and should not use such words,” Azad maintained.
Replying to a question, Mr Azad accused BJP of indulging in ‘political cheating’ on the issue of Article 370 and said saffron party was even ready to join hands with separatists to form Government in J&K. He said at the national and local level the BJP got support of the people on this issue but now they have said good- bye to the issue and is now ready even to form Government with the help of separatists.
The AICC leader further said that Food Security Bill could not be implemented in the State due to lack of support from coalition partner while it has been implemented in many States. He said it will be priority of the party to implement Food Security Bill in the State.
Azad stressed that one time settlement of PoK/ West Pakistan/ Chhamb displaced  persons will be the party’s priority. The Congress has already played major role in the clearance of refugees’ package and it will continue its efforts to bring it to the fruitful conclusion.  Problems faced by the West Pakistani refugees of 1947 will be vigorously pursued with the Government of India. This is the major priority for congress Party.  The party will continue to support dignified resolution of all the challenges faced by Kashmiri Pandit migrant community.
While commenting on issues of border firing victims and those residing along International Border in Jammu region, Azad said a proposal to provide 5 marla plots to the border firing victims to the safer zones has already been pushed in the State cabinet.  The Party if comes to power will consider grant of RBA status ( reservation) to the people residing within 5 kms belt of the border. He also said that party would strive for setting up of Minority Commission in the State for addressing issues of the minorities. Besides this, party would continue to support demand of Pahari speaking people and regularization of the services of daily rated/ consolidated  workers.
Referring to the rotation of reserved constituencies, Azad said for the last 18 years, no rotation of such  constituencies was witnessed which was necessary. For the next six years now up to 24 years, there is not chance. The party will work for having regular necessary rotation of the reserved constituencies.
Reiterating his party’s resolve to build infrastructure and ensure fast track development by executing double and triple shift works, Mr Azad said promotion of industry not only in Jammu, Samba and Kathua but in Chenab region, Rajouri-Poonch belt and other parts of the State would be on party’s agenda. The Congress has already worked hard in raising Heath infrastructure in the State but it is in the party manifesto to raise much more health and road infrastructure in the State. Raising Medical colleges, cancer hospitals and other district and block level hospitals as already announced by Congress led UPA regime will be party’s priority.
Earlier, PCC president Prof Soz releasing manifesto referred to the main 16-points of the party manifesto-2014 and read out the agenda to the media-persons. Soz referred to the party vision and roadmap for 2015-2021 and said that to accelerate job creation, skill development and entrepreneurship, poster peace and promote inclusive development, strengthen healthcare for all, improve education from bottom to top, empower women, nurture children, promote social welfare, address needs of youth, promote welfare of refugees, migrants, ex-servicemen and minorities, address the housing deficit, promote rural economy, guide urbanization, accelerate industrial growth, promote tourism, create 21st century infrastructure, protect environment, reform governance and strengthen disaster risk management would be party’s priorities.
Soz said party would remain in the vanguard in the efforts to institute CBMs that will promote cross LoC trade and travel. Rehabilitation of victims of militancy, floods and border firing is also party’s priority.  Early completion of  ongoing Medical colleges and hospitals  besides several other projects will be part of party’s agenda. Rail link to Rajouri- Poonch and Chenab valley besides harnessing hydel power potential of Chanab Valley region  and other areas is also party’s priority besides completion of already sanctioned tunnels and major bridges.
PCC chief also referred to some of the achievements of the Cong-NC Coalition Government and said that  so far 56,720 persons have been appointed while process to fill up 72,000 vacancies has been started. Over 3050 new Anganwadi centres have been added in last five years under ICDS, 18 lakh beneficiaries provided relief worth Rs 47.82 crore under ISSS, 10 hostels for Gujjars /Bakkerwals/ Pahari girls and Gaddi Sippis have been established, 22 District hospitals, 84 SDHs, 637 allopathic dispensaries and 2265 sub centres have been set up; literacy rate has been increased to 79 % in the State, two Central Universities, 2 new campuses, 6000 schools, 50 polytechnics have come up, Hydel  Project  worth 1400 MW capacity have been launched, Rs 954 crore under RGGVY spent and 98 % population covered under electrification,   30 towns in  the State taken up under RAPDRP at the cost of Rs 1900 crore,  1050 water supply schemes completed,  28 lakh people provided safe drinking water, Mughal Road commissioned, 15000 kms road black topped, 265 bridges completed  and 1148  habilitations connected with highways.

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