Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 12: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Central Zone (Jammu, Samba & Kathua) held a key meeting under the leadership of its president and former Minister, Babu Rampaul, to deliberate on pressing issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting witnessed the participation of senior party leaders and ground-level workers, who voiced serious concern over the rising unemployment among youth in Jammu Kashmir.
Rampaul reiterated the demand made by party president Dr Farooq Abdullah, urging the Central Government to announce a special industrial package for Jammu and Kashmir. “J&K’s economic backbone needs strengthening through robust industrialisation, which in turn can create sustainable employment for our youth,” he emphasized.
He suggested that the package should be such that the industries should use locally available raw material and if raw material is imported from outside, then that should be subsidized and also ensure the purchase of all the finished goods.
NC’s Central Zone leadership also backed Dr Farooq Abdullah’s recent assertion that J&K cannot rely solely on tourism and needs to explore alternative avenues for economic growth. “Tourism alone cannot ensure long-term stability. We need a multipronged economic strategy,” said Rampaul.
He appreciated Dr Farooq Abdullah for travelling all the way from Srinagar to Katra in newly launched Vande Bharat Express train and seeking blessings of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi at Holy Shrine.
Rampaul called upon the Election Commission of India to immediately announce bye-elections for the two vacant Assembly constituencies in J&K. He also demanded that elections be held for the unrepresented Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu Kashmir.
He praised CM Omar Abdullah for his proactive steps to restore confidence in the tourism sector, particularly following the recent Pahalgam incident. He said that Omar Abdullah organised Government meetings at Pahalgam and Gulmarg-popular tourist destinations-to dispel fear in the minds of people of the country, particularly tourists.
The meeting underscored the JKNC’s focus on youth empowerment, economic revival, and restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Ankush Abrol, Dr Vikas Sharma, Dr Gourav Bharat and Rajinder Chanyal.
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