SRINAGAR: Apni Party president and former finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Tuesday appealed to political parties, civil society groups, business bodies and other stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir to unite over what he described as concerns regarding the future direction of J&K Bank.
In a public appeal, Bukhari alleged that the bank was gradually moving away from the interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and called for a collective response to developments that he said could affect the institution’s character and functioning.
He raised concerns over what he described as a reduction in the bank’s credit growth within Jammu and Kashmir while expanding lending outside the Union Territory. He also expressed apprehensions about a proposed recruitment policy that, according to him, could reduce employment opportunities for local youth.
Bukhari further alleged that Jammu and Kashmir had inadequate representation on the bank’s Board of Directors and claimed that there were attempts to shift the bank’s headquarters from Srinagar.
Describing these issues as matters with implications for the economic interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he called on political parties, civil society organisations, intellectuals, lawyers, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders to discuss the matter collectively and formulate a common strategy.
The Apni Party leader said the people of Jammu and Kashmir collectively hold more than 52 per cent of the shares in J&K Bank and therefore have a legitimate stake in the institution’s future.
He urged stakeholders to work together to ensure that the bank continues to prioritise the interests of Jammu and Kashmir and its residents.