Jammu: JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla on Friday urged both the Union Government and the Jammu & Kashmir administration led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate and deadline-driven measures to address public grievances across the Union Territory.
Speaking during a public interaction programme with party workers and local residents here, Bhalla said people in Jammu and Kashmir are facing unemployment, rising prices, power shortages and inadequate civic amenities, and called for governance marked by sensitivity, transparency and accountability.
Highlighting unemployment as the most pressing concern, the Congress leader said thousands of educated youth remain uncertain due to delayed recruitment processes, vacant government posts and limited industrial growth. He demanded that pending examinations be expedited and recruitment made transparent, along with sustained job creation through investment and skill-based initiatives.
“Youth frustration is growing and, if timely corrective steps are not taken, it could have long-term social and economic consequences,” he said.
Bhalla also expressed concern over rising prices of essential commodities, electricity tariffs and fuel, saying inflation has hit middle-class families, daily wagers and small traders. He called for regulatory measures and targeted subsidies to ease the burden on common citizens.
Raising the issue of daily wagers, contractual employees and scheme workers, he demanded a comprehensive policy for their regularisation, stating many have served government departments for years without job security or fair wages. “They form the backbone of several departments and their long-pending demands must be resolved without further delay,” he added.
Referring to frequent power cuts, erratic drinking water supply and slow pace of developmental works in rural and urban areas, Bhalla said access to basic amenities should not remain a luxury and urged the administration to strengthen infrastructure, particularly in remote and border regions.
He further highlighted difficulties faced by farmers and horticulturists due to unpredictable weather, inadequate compensation for crop losses and marketing challenges, calling for fair procurement policies and timely financial assistance. He also stressed the need to revive local trade and support MSMEs to address the economic slowdown.
The Congress leader emphasised responsive governance and regular grievance-redressal mechanisms, urging structured consultations with stakeholders and time-bound disposal of public complaints. “Development is meaningful only when it reaches the grassroots. The people of J&K deserve tangible results,” he said.
The programme was organised by Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary and former Jammu Municipal Corporation Chairman Satish Sharma, who also echoed similar concerns and called for coordinated intervention by the Centre and the UT government. Several party leaders and local residents were present on the occasion.
