JK people paying through their nose for BJP’s anti-people policies; Karra

𝑱𝑨𝑴𝑴𝑼, 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕 6:

The Congress on Sunday took its “Chaupal Par Charcha” campaign to Ward No. 31 in Puran Nagar, near Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, where party leaders interacted with residents and raised a host of issues including inflation, unemployment, restoration of statehood, the reported hike in Mata Vaishno Devi helicopter fares and what Congress has termed the “Chanda Chori” issue.

The programme was presided over by JKPCC President and MLA Tariq Hameed Karra, along with PCC Working President Raman Bhalla and former minister and DCC Jammu Urban president Yogesh Sawhney. Senior Congress leader Th. Manmohan Singh organised the programme, which was attended by party workers, leaders and local residents.

Addressing the gathering, Karra said the objective of “Chaupal Par Charcha” was to take the “Chanda Chori” issue to the grassroots and create a platform where people could speak openly about problems affecting their everyday lives.

He said the people of Jammu & Kashmir were facing economic hardship, unemployment and political uncertainty, alleging that the government had failed to adequately address issues directly affecting ordinary citizens.

Karra said rising inflation had made household budgets increasingly difficult to manage, with families struggling to cope with the cost of essential commodities, education, healthcare and transportation.

He also described unemployment as one of the biggest challenges confronting the youth of J&K, saying educated and qualified young people continued to struggle for adequate employment opportunities.

On the political status of Jammu & Kashmir, Karra said the downgrading of the erstwhile state had hurt the aspirations and dignity of its people and reiterated Congress’ demand for restoration of statehood.

“The people of J&K cannot be expected to remain silent while their political rights, economic interests and dignity are continuously compromised,” Karra said, asserting that Congress would continue to raise these concerns from every available platform.

Karra also questioned the reported up to 15 per cent increase in helicopter service charges for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, asking why ordinary devotees should be made to bear additional costs amid rising expenses.

He said pilgrimage-based tourism was an important component of the local economy and that higher costs could have a wider impact on shopkeepers, transporters, hotel operators, ponywalas, labourers and thousands of families dependent on the pilgrimage economy.

Accusing the BJP of making tall claims about development while failing to adequately address people’s concerns, Karra urged citizens, particularly the youth, to judge policies by their impact on employment, prices, statehood and economic security.

PCC Working President Raman Bhalla said Congress had deliberately adopted the “Chaupal Par Charcha” format to reach people in their neighbourhoods, listen to their concerns and create greater public awareness around the issues raised by the party.

Bhalla said the rising cost of living had placed a heavy burden on middle-class and working families, while unemployment was creating frustration and uncertainty among the younger generation.

He said the downgrading of Jammu & Kashmir could not be treated as a routine administrative matter and reiterated Congress’ demand for restoration of statehood, rights and dignity.

Referring to Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage services, Bhalla said the government should ensure that devotees were not unnecessarily burdened with higher costs. He also urged people to scrutinise the BJP’s claims on development and employment and stressed the importance of public awareness in holding those in power accountable.

Yogesh Sawhney, former minister and president of DCC Jammu Urban, said the response to the programme reflected public concern over the “Chanda Chori” issue as well as inflation, unemployment, statehood and other matters affecting daily life.

Sawhney said DCC Jammu Urban would continue taking the “Chaupal Par Charcha” campaign to wards and localities across Jammu so that public grievances could be heard directly and raised before the appropriate forums.

He said inflation, unemployment and the loss of Jammu & Kashmir’s statehood had affected different sections of society, with young people particularly worried about their future.

On the reported increase in helicopter service charges for Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Sawhney said the matter deserved public scrutiny, particularly given the large number of devotees visiting the shrine every year.

The programme marked another grassroots outreach effort by the Congress in Jammu, with the party seeking to turn concerns over prices, jobs, statehood and pilgrimage costs into a wider public and political debate.