JAMMU, Jul 7: Senior National Conference leader Rajesh Gupta ON Tuesday said the proposed protest in Delhi demanding the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood would reflect the united aspirations of the people and send a strong message to the Central Government to honour its commitment.
Gupta said the continued delay in restoring Statehood has adversely affected governance and weakened democratic accountability. He alleged that the absence of full Statehood has resulted in poor administrative functioning, with rising incidents of crime, theft and road accident fatalities creating serious concern among the people. He said the existing administrative arrangement has failed to effectively address public issues.
Recalling the assurances made by the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister regarding the restoration of Statehood, Gupta said nearly two years have passed since the elected government assumed office, yet the promise remains unfulfilled.
He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introduce a Bill for restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s Statehood during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. Referring to the Supreme Court’s observations, Gupta appealed to the Centre to restore Statehood without further delay to strengthen democracy, accountability and development in Jammu and Kashmir.