Now that a popular government is in the office with a massive and overwhelming mandate of the public, those at the helm of affairs have to be mindful that the great the mandate they have received, the greater are their responsibilities towards those who chose them. Elections are over, people have spoken and now is the turn of the new government and all elected ones to deliver. Let politics now take a back seat and focus be shifted towards governance and deliverance.
People of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered a lot. From early nineties to 2018 they suffered due to unabated violence and law and order situation. From 2018 onwards, though the law and order situation witnessed visible improvement, the people and their voice vanished from the scene. There was no public participation in the business of governance and people felt rudderless. Though several steps were taken by the administration to better peoples’ lives but because all these steps were taken without having public input, these hardly could impress the citizenry.
Fact of the matter is that people love democracy because this system of governance makes one feel important and also a stake holder in the affairs of the place. However, that was missing from all these years that is why the new government has to be extra conscious to convey to the people, in unequivocal terms, that yes, they matter.
The present Omar Abdullah government may not have much powers but it has some and until statehood is restored, this government has to use ‘these some powers’ to address peoples’ basic issues including power supply, drinking water, health and education. Winter is knocking at the doors and Jammu and Kashmir, particularly Valley and winter zones of Jammu province are in for very difficult days. It was good to hear that Centre has sanctioned 300 MW additional electricity for Jammu and Kashmir that would undoubtedly help government to reduce power cuts.
The drinking water is another main issue that confronts people during winters. The government must take all necessary steps to ensure that drinking water reaches ever household regularly. Reports pouring in from different areas of Valley suggest that people are facing acute water shortage. Even in Srinagar, so-called posh areas like Jawahar Nagar are facing water scarcity and Jal Shakti authorities are not even considering sending water tankers to these areas. The government need to tackle this issue efficiently.
The concerned elected members, be those from the coalition parties or opposition, should be all time available to their electorate and listen to their grievances and try to address the same. As earlier mentioned, elections are over so they have to rise above politics and serve every individual of their respective constituencies irrespective of the individual’s political affiliation. They have to understand that though they have been elected by few, they represent all.
