JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Working President Raman Bhalla on Friday interacted with residents of Bandhurakh (Shiv Nagar) in the RS Pura–Jammu South constituency as part of the party’s “Chaupal Pe Charcha” public outreach programme, during which people raised concerns over power tariffs, unemployment, healthcare, infrastructure and restoration of statehood.
The interaction brought together residents from different sections of society, who highlighted issues including the recent electricity tariff revision, recruitment delays, civic infrastructure, healthcare services, drug abuse, farmers’ concerns, challenges faced by traders and the regularisation of daily wagers.
Addressing the gathering, Bhalla said the programme was intended to provide a platform for direct engagement with people and understand issues affecting them at the grassroots level.
The revised power tariff emerged as one of the key concerns during the meeting. Residents expressed apprehension over the impact of higher electricity bills on households, businesses and agriculture. Bhalla said consumers were questioning whether the increase in tariff would be matched by improvements in the quality and reliability of power supply.
Unemployment and recruitment-related issues were also raised by local youth, who highlighted concerns over pending selections, contractual employment and limited job opportunities. Bhalla called for transparent recruitment processes, filling of vacant posts and measures to generate employment in both the public and private sectors.
He also reiterated the Congress party’s support for the regularisation of daily wagers and urged the administration to formulate a time-bound policy to address their concerns.
The restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir also figured prominently during the discussion. Bhalla said people across the Union Territory had repeatedly voiced this demand and called for a clear roadmap on the issue.
Residents highlighted deficiencies in healthcare services, particularly in rural and peripheral areas, including shortages of doctors, medicines and diagnostic facilities. Bhalla called for strengthening healthcare infrastructure and improving access to medical services in rural areas.
Concerns regarding drug abuse, poor road conditions, drainage problems, delays in infrastructure projects, education facilities and challenges faced by farmers and small traders were also raised during the interaction.
Bhalla alleged that there was a gap between government announcements and their implementation on the ground, and said people were increasingly seeking tangible outcomes rather than assurances.
Several Congress leaders, including Amrit Bali, Satish Sharma, Sanjeev Katal, Pritam Singh and others, also addressed the gathering.
