Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said the restoration of statehood to the Union Territory is essential for strengthening democracy, improving governance and accelerating development.
Addressing public meetings at Bari Brahmana and Vijaypur in Samba district and Hiranagar in Kathua district, Choudhary said the continued delay in restoring statehood was adversely affecting the region’s future and democratic institutions, according to a National Conference (NC) statement.
He said Jammu and Kashmir, being a strategically important border region and a major tourist destination, required a fully empowered elected government capable of taking decisions in the interest of the people. Choudhary also alleged that the existing administrative arrangement had led to delays in decision-making and implementation of development programmes.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had repeatedly demonstrated their faith in democracy and urged the Centre to restore statehood at the earliest.
According to the statement, Choudhary also announced that the NC and its alliance partners would stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20 to press for the restoration of statehood. He appealed to people to attend a public meeting scheduled to be held at Maharaja Hari Singh Park in Jammu on July 12.
Addressing the gatherings, NC provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta urged the Centre to fulfil its commitment on restoring statehood, saying it would strengthen democratic institutions, improve governance, attract investment, boost tourism and generate employment.
Gupta said the demand for statehood reflected the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and called on the public to participate in the party’s rally in Jammu on July 12, the statement added.
