JAMMU, May 31: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla on Sunday said that the continued delay in the restoration of full statehood and the absence of elected grassroots institutions are adversely affecting public interests and democratic governance in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a meeting under the Congress party’s Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan at Khour, organized by JKPCC District Jammu Rural President Neeraj Kundan, Bhalla said the campaign aims not only at strengthening the organization but also at amplifying the voice of the people and intensifying the struggle for statehood, employment generation, democratic empowerment and public welfare.
Prominent leaders present on the occasion included former MLC Ved Mahajan, senior Congress leader Vinod Sharma, Virinder Manhas, Ashok Bhagat, Iqbal Dar, Vajayant Pathania, Vijay Choudhary, Ramesh Verma, Mangal Bral, Ashok Sharma, Abhishek Sharma, Subash Sharma, Madan Lal, Yash Paul, Dewan Chand and Sumit Sharma, among others.
Speaking to party workers and local residents, Bhalla expressed concern over the delay in restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as essential for administrative efficiency, democratic accountability and effective governance. He said people have been waiting for a governance structure that is more responsive to local aspirations and capable of addressing public grievances in a timely manner.
The Congress leader also criticized the delay in holding elections to Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies and other grassroots democratic institutions. He said local bodies are crucial for identifying development priorities, monitoring projects and ensuring accountability in public service delivery. According to Bhalla, democracy becomes meaningful only when power reaches the grassroots and local communities actively participate in decision-making.
Highlighting the concerns of daily wagers, casual labourers, need-based workers and contractual employees, Bhalla reiterated Congress’ support for their long-pending demand for regularization. He urged the government to formulate a comprehensive and time-bound policy to address their issues and provide them social and economic security.
Bhalla further drew attention to staff shortages in schools, colleges, healthcare institutions and various government departments. He said the lack of adequate teaching staff in educational institutions, particularly in rural and remote areas, is affecting the quality of education and limiting opportunities for students. He called for immediate recruitment drives to fill all vacant posts.
Referring to the healthcare sector, Bhalla said many hospitals and health centres continue to face shortages of doctors, specialists and paramedical staff, affecting healthcare delivery, especially in remote regions. He also stressed that filling vacancies across government departments would improve administrative efficiency and create employment opportunities for educated youth.
The senior Congress leader raised concerns over inadequate drinking water supply and unscheduled power cuts, which continue to inconvenience people in both urban and rural areas. He urged the administration to strengthen water supply schemes, modernize power infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential services.
Bhalla said unemployment, inflation, inadequate infrastructure, declining purchasing power and challenges faced by farmers, traders and small entrepreneurs have added to public distress. He asserted that Congress would continue to serve as a strong voice for the people and relentlessly pursue solutions to these issues.
Emphasizing the significance of the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan, Bhalla said the campaign seeks to build a grassroots-driven organization capable of effectively articulating public concerns and ensuring that people’s issues receive priority at every level. He called upon party workers to strengthen their engagement with local communities and actively contribute to the struggle for justice, development and democratic empowerment.
Earlier, JKPCC District Jammu Rural President Neeraj Kundan said the Sangathan Srijan Abhiyan is a mass outreach programme aimed at reconnecting with people and highlighting their genuine concerns. He said Congress remains committed to raising issues such as unemployment, inadequate civic amenities, staff shortages in essential services and delays in democratic processes.
Kundan urged party workers to maintain close contact with the public and work tirelessly for the restoration of statehood, revival of Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies, regularization of daily wagers, employment generation for youth and equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir.