Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 25: The additional spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Zuhaib Yousuf Mir, said today that the recently announced budget for Jammu and Kashmir failed to address the region’s real issues and aspirations.
Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters in Srinagar, Mir described the budget as “futuristic” and disconnected from the ongoing problems faced by the people. “This is not a people-centric budget but a ‘Babu-centric’ one, crafted by bureaucrats in offices,” he said.
He highlighted the disconnect between the budget and the ground realities, pointing out that while Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was discussing reforms, law, order and holistic development, an encounter was simultaneously taking place in Kupwara.
“The central government is as disconnected from political reality as this budget is from the people’s needs. We need a softer, more inclusive approach to ensure peace,” he added.
Mir also lamented the seven consecutive years of the budget being presented from Parliament. “Our democracy ended, our state was dismembered and we were downgraded to a Union Territory in an unprecedented manner. There is no honour in presenting a budget for a downgraded state to Parliament,” he said. Mir said that peace in the subcontinent depends on peace in Kashmir which can be achieved only through a softer approach. “The hardline policies have only fueled militancy, both in Kashmir and now in Jammu,” he said.
Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kargil for Kargil Diwas, Mir expressed hope that the PM would restore Statehood to Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir.
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