Bhalla blasts J&K UT, Centre over “Complete Governance Collapse” and public suffering

JAMMU, May 22: JKPCC Working President, Raman Bhalla on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration and the Central Government, accusing them of failing the people on major public issues including unemployment, inflation, regularization of daily wagers, restoration of statehood, and development of basic infrastructure.
Addressing a large public meeting at Darsopur in R.S. Pura, Bhalla expressed concern over growing frustration among unemployed youth due to the lack of recruitment drives and employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme was organised by S. Gurmeet Singh, Block President Miran Sahib, under the presidentship of Neeraj Kundan, District President Rural Jammu and Incharge Jammu R.S. Pura South, along with Amrit Bali.
The meeting witnessed enthusiastic participation from Congress workers, local residents, and senior party leaders who discussed public welfare issues and strategies to strengthen the party’s grassroots outreach.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla alleged that both the Centre and the UT administration have completely failed to address the pressing concerns of common people. He said despite repeated promises made to educated youth, no significant recruitment process has been initiated, leaving thousands of young men and women disappointed and uncertain about their future.
Bhalla also criticized the administration for failing to regularize thousands of daily wagers, casual labourers, and adhoc employees serving in different government departments for many years. He stated that these workers continue to provide essential services under difficult conditions while their genuine demands remain ignored.
“The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are feeling betrayed due to unfulfilled promises regarding jobs and economic opportunities. Daily wagers and adhoc employees are struggling for survival while the government remains indifferent to their plight,” Bhalla said.
Raising concern over deteriorating public services, Bhalla highlighted the issue of unscheduled power cuts and irregular drinking water supply affecting both rural and urban areas, especially during the ongoing summer season. He alleged that people are facing severe hardships due to prolonged electricity outages and inadequate civic facilities.
The Congress leader further pointed towards acute staff shortages in hospitals, schools, and colleges across Jammu and Kashmir. According to him, the shortage of doctors, paramedical staff, teachers, and professors has adversely affected healthcare and educational institutions, thereby impacting patients and students alike.
Targeting the Union Government over the delay in restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, Bhalla said the people were repeatedly assured that statehood would be restored at the earliest, but no concrete action has been taken so far. He termed the delay a betrayal of public trust and democratic aspirations.
Bhalla also attacked the government over rising inflation and increasing prices of essential commodities. He stated that the soaring prices of petrol and diesel have placed an unbearable burden on common people and contributed to rising costs of other goods and services.
He further alleged that shortage and rising prices of LPG cylinders have worsened the condition of poor and middle-class families already struggling with economic distress. Farmers, labourers, traders, and salaried employees, he said, are all suffering due to unchecked inflation and poor governance.
Highlighting the poor state of infrastructure, Bhalla said roads, drainage systems, healthcare facilities, and civic amenities in both rural and urban areas continue to remain neglected despite repeated claims of development.
Calling upon party workers to intensify public outreach programmes, Bhalla emphasized the need to strengthen the Congress party at the grassroots level and remain connected with the issues of the people. He assured the gathering that the Congress party would continue to raise public issues strongly and fight for the rights of every section of society.
Among those present on the occasion were Jatin Raina, S. Rajinder Singh Nathu, Chairman Minority Cell Congress, Jatinder Bhagat, Er. I.P. Singh, Arvind Kumar Tooti, Harvinder Singh Kaku, and Babu Singh.