Srinagar, Sep 21: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Omar Abdullah-led government, accusing it of failing to address unemployment, basic amenities and the grievances of various sections of society.
Speaking to reporters on the first day of the Autumn Session, Sharma said people of Jammu and Kashmir had high expectations from the government, particularly those who had been waiting for years for their demands to be addressed.
He alleged that the government had failed to provide basic amenities, including adequate electricity and water supply, and claimed that governance had failed on several fronts.
“After two years, a single word comes out of the mouth of the head of this government — we do not have the power, we cannot do anything,” Sharma said.
He also alleged that corruption was rampant and pointed to the demands of NHM employees, ASHA and Anganwadi workers and JKSSB aspirants.
Sharma said the concerns of around 70,000 cooperative bank depositors remained unresolved, claiming that an earlier assurance that their payments would be released within two months had not been fulfilled.
“The biggest deception, I believe, is with the youth,” Sharma said, referring to unemployment as a major concern in Jammu and Kashmir.
He also criticised the government over outsourcing appointments, alleging that the process lacked transparency.
“We have no complaint about outsourcing. But outsourcing will not happen like this. There should be transparency, a recruitment mechanism and fixed criteria,” he said.
Sharma claimed that around 25,000 people had been engaged through outsourcing and alleged that the appointments could affect future recruitment opportunities.
The Leader of Opposition said the BJP, as the principal Opposition party, would raise these issues in the Assembly and seek answers from the government.
“If the answer to every question is statehood, then dissolve this whole setup and wait for statehood,” Sharma said, referring to the government’s response to various issues.
He said the BJP would raise the concerns of different sections of society in the House and would not allow what he described as the government playing with people’s emotions.
On the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Sharma said the BJP would study the report in detail and raise the matter in the Assembly.
He alleged that several JJM schemes were becoming defunct despite substantial funds having been provided by the Union government.
“There are big flaws in this report too. We will study it thoroughly and talk about it,” he said.
Sharma said the Opposition would raise issues concerning NHM employees, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, JKSSB aspirants, outsourcing, alleged corruption, panchayat-related issues, power tariffs, salaries of GRS and technical assistance staff, KEMPA employees and the JJM report during the ongoing Assembly session.
