SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday accused the Omar Abdullah-led government of failing to fulfil its promises and address basic public concerns during its nearly two years in office, saying the BJP would raise issues affecting different sections of society during the ongoing Autumn Session.
Addressing reporters on the opening day of the session, Sharma said people had high expectations from the government, particularly those who had been waiting for years for their grievances to be resolved. He alleged that the government was repeatedly citing lack of powers as a reason for its inability to address public issues.
Sharma alleged that basic amenities remained inadequate in several areas, claiming that electricity tariffs had been increased despite supply-related problems and that water shortages continued. He also levelled allegations of corruption against the government and officials, which were not independently established in the statement.
The Leader of Opposition said the BJP would raise the concerns of daily wagers, NHM employees, ASHA and Anganwadi workers and job aspirants seeking age relaxation during the Assembly session. He also highlighted the concerns of around 70,000 depositors associated with SCOT Bank and Cooperative Citizen Bank, claiming they were still awaiting payment despite an earlier assurance regarding release of their dues.
Sharma described unemployment as a major concern and referred to the Chief Minister’s earlier promise of providing one lakh jobs. He also alleged irregularities in the outsourcing process, claiming that some National Conference workers and their relatives were being given jobs in exchange for money. He said the BJP did not oppose outsourcing but wanted recruitment to be conducted through a transparent mechanism based on clearly defined criteria.
On the issue of around 25,000 jobs, Sharma alleged that the positions had already been filled and accused the government of misleading the Assembly by stating that the appointments had been made against vacancies.
On statehood, Sharma questioned the repeated attribution of administrative issues to the absence of statehood and said the BJP would raise people’s concerns during the session.
Regarding the Jal Jeevan Mission report, Sharma said the BJP would study the document before presenting its detailed position. He alleged that several JJM schemes were becoming defunct and claimed the report contained significant shortcomings.
Sharma also said the JJM report was scheduled to be presented in the Assembly and should not have become the principal issue of discussion on the opening day of the session. The allegations raised by the Leader of Opposition are part of the political debate in the Assembly and remain subject to responses from the government and other parties.
