SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) Srinagar district president and former MLA Peer Afaq Ahmad on Saturday urged the Centre to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and grant full powers to the elected government, alleging that delays were hampering its functioning.
Afaq made the remarks while presiding over a meeting of the newly constituted Srinagar district committee of the party.
According to a party statement, Afaq said the elected government should be given the powers required to serve people effectively and implement its mandate without administrative hurdles. He urged the Central Government to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and allow the elected administration to function in accordance with the mandate it received from voters.
The NC leader claimed that continued delays in granting full powers to the government had strengthened perceptions that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had not accepted the party’s electoral victory. He also alleged that creating obstacles in the functioning of an elected government was inconsistent with democratic governance.
Afaq said the National Conference had received a five-year mandate from the people and that the mandate should be respected. He also called for measures to restore what he described as the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to civic infrastructure, he criticised the implementation of the Smart City project, alleging that it had not delivered the expected benefits despite substantial expenditure. He cited traffic congestion, waterlogging after rainfall and shortcomings in the drainage system as areas requiring attention.
The NC leader expressed hope that the government would address deficiencies in infrastructure and public services through reforms and improved governance, the statement said.
