BJP promised Jammu statehood, in return gave neglect, deprivation: Rana

Jammu: National Conference Provincial President Devender Singh Rana Thursday assailed the BJP for compromising with the honour, pride and aspirations of Jammu, saying all tall promises proved hoax with the people finding themselves downgraded as secondary class citizens in the two Union Territories.
“What happened to promised statehood for Jammu, which the people were assured by the BJP in order to fulfill their aspirations as they, according to the party, felt that they had not got their due share in governance”, Rana asked while interacting with media persons here.
He said, “The people of Jammu in turn got abject neglect and deprivation from even basic amenities. He regretted that the people of Jammu are being meted out a treatment as if they were secondary class citizens.
Describing the Dogras as architects of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Rana lamented that they were being neglected and relegated to secondary position. This has generated anger, discontentment and disillusion among the people, which is needed to be understood and addressed by those holding the reins of the governance, he said and referred to the unfulfilled promises made by the BJP with Jammu
The Provincial President was flanked by Ch Rehmat Ali, Ms Reena Thappa and Sharifan Bibi, respectively Block Development Chairpersons of Nagrota, Dansal and Mathwar blocks of the Nagrota Assembly Constituency and Mr Kuldeep Raj, Block Development Chairman of Block Bhalwal of Raipur Domana constituency.
The Provincial President said that the National Conference has been a strong votary of the J&K state, as a single entity with regional autonomy to various regions and sub regions.
“The NC will always stand for the rights of the people and work for upholding honour and dignity of the people of Jammu within the state of J&K”, Mr Rana said, adding that the party believes in unity in diversity of with equal opportunities of progress, development and jobs to all, irrespective of caste, creed, colour, region and religion.
He said the National Conference has remained sensitive to the distinct urges and aspirations of the regions and sub-regions but what has now panned out now is quite disgusting and disturbing for Jammu. He said that Jammu’s spirit of sacrifice and character of assimilation should be respected by giving it a fair deal in governance, development, employment and implementation of various welfare measures. The BJP should not undermine the sensitivities of the Dogras and disrespect their urges, as it did during the past six years after getting an overwhelming mandate across the region.
“It’s high time for the BJP to undertake course correction after accepting its mistakes and failure in keeping the promises made to Jammu”, Mr Rana said while referring to the administrative inertia, developmental paralysis and lack of understanding of the needs of the region. The BJP should publicly own the responsibility to the mess created over the years as a result of which the people suffered hugely on all fronts. He said Jammu development has remained a far cry, confined to papers only, given the obtaining conditions on ground zero. The erratic power supply and scarce drinking water has traumatized the people during scorching summer and humid monsoon. What is beyond comprehension can be witnessed by pock marked roads which present the semblance of the stone-age era. Making up VIP roads does not make the temple city of Jammu and its rural roads traffic worthy. The scenario is quite grim and the same prevails on the fronts of health and hygiene, sanitation and other utility services which crave for attention, he maintained.
The Provincial President referred to the growing sense of alienation among the people of Jammu, saying this could snowball in frustration and dejection if corrective measures are not undertaken at earnest.
Rana said Jammu needs a healing balm of political, economic and development fronts which will generate a sense of confidence among the people who feel relegated to the status of nothingness.
The BDC Chairpersons gave on the spot an account of erratic power supply in their areas, saying the accountability deficit has led to chaotic situations in rural Jammu as people have nowhere to register their grievances. They expressed grave concern over defunct utility services especially power and drinking water supplies, saying the governance deficit has breached all limits of public patience.
At ground zero, the administration is invisible, which is why the people are braving the brunt on all fronts, especially due to unscheduled power cuts for hours together that result in scarce power supplies, they said, adding this has created a piquant situation everywhere in these humid monsoon months.
The BDC Chairpersons said the situation has been same on all fronts and regretfully nobody shoulders the responsibility of ensuring these minimum basics to the people. They said life without power and drinking water in scorching heat and humid monsoon has become a hell as it has hit the poor segments of people the most. They added that the accountability deficit has led to chaotic situations in rural Jammu as people have nowhere to register their grievances. The administration at all levels seems to have gone on long vacation, they observed.