Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, May 9: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today accused the former PDP-BJP Government of allowing the drug menace to spread in J&K after 2014, saying thousands of youngsters and families continue to suffer due to the crisis.
Addressing reporters, Choudhary said the rise in drug addiction in the Union Territory began during the PDP-BJP regime and alleged that those now speaking about a “Nasha Mukt J&K” must answer for the prevailing situation.
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Choudhary also targeted the previous Government of PDP-BJP over unemployment, recruitment freezes and outsourcing policies, alleging that the present shortage of manpower in departments was the result of decisions taken during the PDP-BJP tenure.
“When PDP and BJP were in power, unemployment was rampant. No teachers were recruited for a long time and posts were frozen during their tenure. Permanent jobs disappeared because outsourcing was implemented then,” he said.
Choudhary claimed that the condition of hospitals and public services had improved under the present administration and asserted that “things have changed across J&K”
Meanwhile, Choudhary stressed the need to equip students with skills required for future-ready jobs to ensure sustainable livelihood opportunities for youth.
He made the remarks during visits to Government Polytechnic College, Gogji Bagh; Government Polytechnic College for Women, Bemina; and ITI Bemina in Srinagar, where he reviewed academic activities, infrastructure and training facilities under various skill development programmes.
Choudhary directed authorities to equip laboratories and workshops with modern machinery and gadgets to ensure quality practical training.
He also stressed the need for introducing market-oriented courses aligned with present and future industry demands.
“The need is to provide market access and suitable platforms to our talented students for showcasing the products and skilled work they produce,” he said.
Interacting with students, Choudhary urged them to avail benefits under Mission YUVA and become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
“Under Mission YUVA, youth can avail loans up to Rs 10 lakh without mortgage or guarantor requirements. Work hard, utilise these opportunities and become successful entrepreneurs,” he said.
At Government Polytechnic College for Women, Bemina, Choudhary inspected the Food Processing Technology Unit and called for proper branding and marketing support for products prepared by students to improve their reach and visibility.
Responding to remarks by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma that the National Conference was “on ventilator” and would split, Choudhary accused the BJP leader of using language “not in line with the legacy of J&K.”
“It is the fortune of the Abdullah family that the Chief Minister was born there, but the language used by the LoP is not the language of J&K. The words he uses for the Chief Minister are not part of our legacy,” he said.
Taking a jibe at Sharma, Choudhary said the BJP leader had “come from Assam after the culmination of elections” and was “tired and unaware of the actual situation in J&K.”
“If NC is on ventilator, why is he concerned only about the Government and not the issues of the people?” he asked.
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