Wachi (Shopian), May 15 (Scoop News)-Seeking mandate for accomplishing the party’s unfinished agenda of political resolution, durable peace, extensive development and inclusive prosperity, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti today said the State’s youth shall have to lead from the front the movement for change in 2014.
“Despite getting a very short span of three years in power between 2002-2005, PDP set into motion a comprehensive process of economic empowerment and infrastructural development in the State which is to be taken to the logical conclusion,” Mehbooba said while addressing a PDP workers’ convention here today. Senior PDP leaders Tariq Hameed Karra, Ab Razaq Zawoora,Zone President Gh Hassan Bhat, Gh Mohiudin Wani, Mohd Khalil Naik,Zaffar Manhas, Yawar Bandey, Yasir Wani and Mohsin Ah were also present on this occasion addressed the convention.
The PDP President said ironically there has been a complete freeze on development during the past five years as not a single project of significance was executed in any part of the State by the present dispensation. “Unfortunately, some key projects taken up by the previous PDP- Congress coalition government in crucial sectors like road communication, horticulture, agriculture, industry, power, education, health and social security were shelved on narrow-minded political considerations,” she said and added that work on Mughal Road, Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road, Khannabal-Pahalgam Road, Pulwama-Litter-Naina-Sangam road, Shopian-Qazigund road, Fly-Overs in Srinagar, upgradation of Satellite Fruit Markets and establishment of various new institutions piloted by the PDP-Congress coalition government have almost been shelved by the present dispensation.
She said the job-intensive initiatives including introduction of the concept of Self-Help Groups of Engineers and hassle-free loaning facilities for various sectors had encouraged a new generation of young and dynamic entrepreneurs to come up during that period. “Unfortunately with the advent of the present regime in 2009 all those initiatives took a back seat,” she and added that the present regime seems to be at war with every section of the society except corruption, misgovernance and nepotism which has flourished during this period.
“The unfinished business has to be completed and for that PDP will need every body’s active cooperation and support,” she said and added that the upcoming elections will be conducted on the comparative performance of political parties both in government and in opposition. He said solid issues would be there for people to vote for. While on the top will be the political resolution of Jammu & Kashmir, important economic issues like the power crisis and development will have to be debated and brought into public attention for its solution.
Mehbooba expressed dismay over the complete lack of concern in the Government over the immense loss caused to the fruit crop by hailstorm in various fruit belts of the State. She demanded immediate relief to the affected.
Speaking on the occasion senior PDP leader Tariq Hameed Karra said, said unemployment is a huge challenge and we will need to have a clear policy on tackling it and providing remunerative and dignified jobs to our educated and skilled population. He said the present government has utterly failed on this crucial front and instead of having resolved their problems it has targeted the youth as ‘enemies of the state’ and demonized them as stone-pelters, drug addicts and criminals. He said youth are the real asset of a nation and if we fail in realizing their potential we can never hope to build a self-reliant and self respecting nation. “No government is worth its salt if it fails the youth,” he said.
Karra said the functionaries of the present government are neck deep in corruption and it is virtually a mafia Raaj in the State. He said the people shall have to give a befitting reply to NC in upcoming polls for its misdeeds.