Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference General Secretary and MLA Khanyar, Ali Muhammad Sagar, Saturday asserted that the mismanagement of the past decade has severely affected irrigation facilities throughout Kashmir, emphasising that the Omar Abdullah government is diligently working to rectify these issues and restore essential services to the region.
During his interaction with various individual and public delegations at Nawa-e-Subha party headquarters in Srinagar, he expressed his commitment to addressing pressing agricultural issues.
The visiting delegation highlighted a critical concern: over the past decade, successive governments have neglected the upkeep and maintenance of irrigation canals, severely impeding paddy cultivation.
Despite these challenges, the delegation expressed optimism regarding the Omar Abdullah government, noting the party’s long-standing reputation for its pro-people agenda and agrarian focus.
Sagar resonated with their concerns, affirming that the Omar Abdullah-led government is actively tackling the issues that have escalated over the past ten years.
However, he cautioned that meaningful change cannot be achieved overnight. “Like many other sectors, agriculture has been largely ignored by the government. Sale and purchase centres for agricultural equipment and supplies were shut, irrigation canals were left in disrepair, and lift irrigation projects were neglected. No measures were taken to expand irrigation facilities to more areas. But now, with a popular government under the leadership of Omar Sahib, every sector is receiving the attention it deserves. The National Conference has a rich history rooted in agrarian reforms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to support our resilient farmers. We will continue to provide every possible assistance to ensure their success,” he asserted.
Sagar assured the visiting delegations that both the government and the local MLAs are diligently addressing pressing public issues, including the dire state of irrigation canals. “With the enthusiastic support of our people, we are committed to restoring these vital waterways, ensuring that catchment areas receive sufficient water to bolster agricultural activities.”
During the meeting, Sagar proactively engaged with the relevant officials via telephone to discuss the specific challenges faced by the delegation members.
In the meantime, the Provincial President of the party’s Women’s Wing, Er. Sabiya Qadri convened a meeting with the functionaries of the District Srinagar Women’s Wing at the party headquarters. During this gathering, she conducted a thorough review of the ongoing programs and initiatives spearheaded by the wing, while also providing essential directives to the office bearers.
