Jammu: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Sunday addressed a public meeting at Sheanchak in the Jammu South constituency, highlighting unemployment, civic shortcomings and economic hardships faced by people across Jammu and Kashmir, while also voicing concern over the condition of traders and the business community in the Union Territory.
The gathering, organised by Satpaul Mandi and Block President Miran Sahib Gurmeet Singh Gumma, witnessed participation of local residents, party workers and prominent citizens. Among those who spoke on the occasion were Bishan Dass (Panch), Satya Devi (Panch), S. Gurcharan Singh, Mohinder Singh, Sarpanch Ashok Kumar, Bodh Raj Angurana, Ved Parkash, Charanjeet, Mohinder Lal, Sardari Lal, Om Parkash (Panch), Tarsem Lal, Rakesh (Panch) and Ranjan, who stressed the need for strengthening grassroots democracy and people-centric governance.
Addressing the meeting, Bhalla said residents of Jammu and Kashmir were facing hardships due to rising prices, unemployment and inadequate development. He expressed concern over growing joblessness among educated youth and demanded a comprehensive recruitment drive to fill vacant posts in various government departments.
He called for transparent recruitment processes, enhanced skill-development initiatives and greater employment opportunities for young people. Bhalla also highlighted deficiencies in civic amenities in parts of Jammu South and adjoining rural areas, citing irregular water supply, poor road connectivity, inadequate drainage, erratic power supply and insufficient healthcare facilities.
Urging the administration to prioritise grassroots development, he said funds meant for public welfare should be utilised efficiently and transparently and Panchayati Raj Institutions must be empowered to resolve local issues effectively.
Raising the issue of inflation, Bhalla said soaring prices of essential commodities, LPG and fuel had adversely affected middle-class families, farmers and labourers. He also referred to the difficulties faced by farmers due to inadequate support prices, irrigation shortages and rising input costs, and demanded timely compensation for crop losses and stronger support mechanisms.
The Congress leader reiterated the demand for restoration of full democratic rights and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stating that people’s aspirations could be fulfilled only through a fully functional democratic system with accountable elected representatives.
Separately, Bhalla expressed serious concern over the situation of traders and the business community, saying small and medium traders, shopkeepers, transporters, hoteliers and entrepreneurs were grappling with declining sales, rising operational costs and policy uncertainties.
He said reduced purchasing power, competition from online platforms and inflationary trends had weakened local markets. According to him, rising electricity tariffs, high rentals and GST compliance burdens were adding financial strain, forcing some establishments to shut and leading to job losses.
Bhalla urged the government to introduce relief measures such as tax rationalisation and simplified compliance procedures, and called for easier access to affordable, collateral-free credit for MSMEs. He also sought early clearance of pending payments to contractors and suppliers, stating that liquidity shortages were affecting business expansion.
Highlighting the linkage between tourism and trade, he said hotels, restaurants, handicraft dealers, transport operators and street vendors depended heavily on tourist inflow and called for sustained promotion campaigns and infrastructure upgrades to ensure consistent footfall.
He also emphasised protection of local industries and artisans in handicrafts, handlooms and small-scale manufacturing through marketing support, export facilitation and safeguards against cheap imports, besides improved warehousing, logistics and skill-development programmes.
Bhalla said the party would continue to raise public issues at all forums and advocated a comprehensive economic revival package focused on tax relief, infrastructure development, employment generation and business-friendly reforms.
