Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 26: Various delegations of political parties and trade bodies met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his visit to the State here since last evening.
CPI (M) State Secretary and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami during his meeting with the Prime Minister urged upon him to take serious measures for broadening of political process in Kashmir.
“The leadership cannot afford to put the political issues on the back burner,” the statement quoting him said.
He asked the PM for seizing the latest opportunities and carry forward the stalled Indo-Pak dialogue regarding improvement in the relations, people to people contact, cross LoC trade and relaxation in visa regulations, the statement added.
Tarigami demanded handing over of some JK-based power projects to the state so that the energy crisis detrimental to the development of the state could be overcome. He also expressed his concern over governance and said that vast improvement is required to make it effective, transparent and accountable, the statement further said.
Another delegation comprising members of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) led by its president Faiz Bakshi met the Prime Minister and presented a memorandum of demands to him.
A statement of the hotel body said the Prime Minister listened to demands of the delegation with keen interest and enquired about the difficulties faced by the tourism industry. Singh assured that he will examine the issues raised by the delegation in the memorandum.
Besides, KHAROF president Faiz Bakshi, former president, G.M. Dug, senior vice president, Mirza Manzoor Ali, junior vice president, Javeed Burza and secretary general, Manzoor Sidiq were part of the delegation.
Sanjay Saraf, national president of Lok Janashakti Party also met the Prime Minister and presented a memorandum of demands to him. He raised several issues with the PM including revocation of AFSPA and Temple Bill.
President of Janta Dal United J&K Chapter, Gulam Qadir Wani with eight delegates of the party met with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and handed over to him a memorandom with five points demand of the State and urged him to look personally into the matter.
The delegation also apprised the PM that the deserving people are not getting the benefit of Centrally sponsored schemes.
They requested Dr Singh to return power projects of Bagliar and Reasi back to the State, which have the potential to change the economic condition of the State.
Assistance to people of earthquake hit Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar was also demanded by the delegation.
The issue of unemployment which has created a mess of terrorism in the State, also came up in the discussion.
Singh assured the delegates that all the issues will be taken care of to help the common masses get rid of unemployment, terrorism and corruption.