Srinagar, October 25(Scoop News)- Prominent Gujjar leader and president of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Akhil Bhartiya Gujjar Mahasabha Eshfaq ur Rehman Poswal has asked the state and central governments to make a comprehensive and long-term policy for areas near the Line of Control which more than 700 Kilometres long running along both provinces.
On conclusion of his extensive tour of forward areas of Kupwara district, Poswal informed the Press that the presence of government infrastructure and manpower in the areas close to the Line of Control is bare minimum and at some places next to negligible. He pointed out that where the government focus was required to be most in view of hostilities unleashed from across the border the people have been left unattended.
Poswal said that he has just come back after covering all nooks and corners of Teetwal and Tangdhar blocks of Kupwara district along the Line of Control and found people in great deal of misery. “There are either no roads or those which are there are in very poor condition”, said Poswal. He added that the schools have been sanctioned for these areas but the presence of schools is merely on papers as teachers do no turn up. Same is the case with dispensaries and veterinary centres, he said.
The Gujjar Mahasabha leader said that he is deeply concerned about the living conditions in forward areas as these areas are inhabited by majority of Gujjars and also their live in constant fear for their position along the Line of Control. He said that acute poverty has made their life further miserable and there are no schemes in to improve life of these people.
The Gujjar leader has urged the state government to devise a separate budget for all areas along the Line of Control so that focused attention can be given to the people living in most difficult situations. He said that while projecting demands before the Planning Commission the State government should project a separate component for the development and welfare of areas along LoC.