Mubashir Aalam Wani
Jammu, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Thursday asserted that while his party is a part of the National Conference-led government, it cannot turn a blind eye to the issues faced by the people.
Addressing a press conference here, Karra, highlighted the “deteriorating” state of essential services such as electricity and water supply. “Bijli, pani are basic needs of human beings. We were promised a Smart City with 24×7 electricity and water supply, but instead, the so-called Smart City has turned into an ‘unsmart’ city,” he said, expressing concern over unfulfilled commitments.
Karra emphasized that the Congress party represents a significant section of the population and regularly engages with people, who consistently raise concerns about essential services. “These issues are being faced by all sections of society. We are part of the government, but that does not mean we cannot give suggestions or seek answers,” he said.
Asked about Congress targeting the National Conference, Karra dismissed the claim, stating that addressing public grievances should not be seen as political rivalry. “We cannot close our eyes to the problems faced by the people. The day a coordination committee is formed, we will formally raise these concerns with them,” he added.
Karra also defended his son Waleed, a doctor, attending an official meeting chaired by health and education minister Sakeena Itoo in Srinagar recently and said he was there in the capacity of constituency-incharge of the central Shalteng seat.
“I was away in Jammu and accordingly nominated him as constituency incharge. This has been the precedent and it is not happening for the first time,” he said.
Karra said that the Congress Party’s principal stand is the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. “Our stand remains unchanged,” he added.
He accused the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to fulfill its promises of restoring the statehood despite making repeated promises.
Karra highlighted that people across Jammu and Kashmir are deeply concerned about the lack of progress in restoring statehood. He questioned BJP’s silence on the issue, stating, “If they want statehood, why don’t they talk about it? If they don’t, they should explain why.”
He also pointed out the contradiction between claims of peace and normalcy and the imposition of restrictions like Section 144 in places like Kishtwar, stating that Congress leaders were prevented from meeting workers.
The JKPCC president strongly criticised the J&K government for failing to address the concerns of daily wagers, casual workers, NHM employees, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, SPOs, and unemployed youth.
He said that the government’s inaction is pushing many young people into despair as they continue to age without job opportunities.
Karra also lashed out at the administration over rising power tariffs and the installation of smart meters. “Electricity prices are increasing without notice, while supply remains unreliable,” he said, adding that many regions in Jammu and Kashmir, which are generating electricity through hydropower projects, are not receiving adequate power supply.
Karra also raised concerns about the Jal Jeevan Mission, stating that while taps have been installed in homes, there was no water supply. He said that people in Jammu were now being asked to pay online before receiving water tankers, calling it a novel way of extorting money from helpless residents.
Karra also mentioned the Congress party’s demand for a review of the Indus Water Treaty, arguing that Jammu and Kashmir’s biggest casualty is its own people, who were not benefiting from their natural resources.
He said that local youth should be given employment priority in ongoing power projects instead of being sidelined.
