*Demands Distt status for Billawar
Excelsior Correspondent
BILLAWAR, Apr 16: While expressing his concern over the rising corruption and unemployment in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, former minister Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today demanded district status for Billawar.
Addressing a large public meeting at Dharmani in Billawar Constituency today, Sharma termed the sharp rise in unemployment as one of the most serious challenges facing the region. He noted that the continued lack of job opportunities is not only affecting the economic stability of families but also creating frustration among educated youth, forcing many towards migration or vulnerability to social evils.
Raising concern over corruption, former minister said that it has eroded public trust in institutions and delayed the delivery of basic services. He pointed out that corruption at various levels, results in depriving deserving people of the welfare schemes, while developmental works suffer due to inefficiency and misuse of resources. He called for greater transparency, accountability, and strict monitoring mechanism to restore confidence among the masses.
Highlighting the growing menace of drug abuse, he described it as a grave threat to the younger generation. He stated that the spread of drugs is destroying families, increasing crime, and weakening the social fabric of society. He urged for stronger enforcement measures, awareness campaigns and community participation to curb this issue.
On the demand of district status to Billawar, Sharma explained that the absence of district-level administrative infrastructure, forces residents to travel long distance for basic official work, causing inconvenience, financial burden and delays. Granting district status, he said, would decentralize governance, bring administration closer to the people, and accelerate development in remote areas.
He also raised the issue of daily wagers, Anganwadi workers and their regularization.
Several prominent political and social figures including- Pankaj Dogra, Narinder Khajuria, PS Pamma, Sohan Lal Sharma, Romesh Verma, Th Bhudhi Singh, Romal Singh, Raj Kumar Kumblia and others were also present.
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