‘Connect between masses and elected government is nil; will fight in assembly and on roads’: LoP Sunail Sharma
Dhar Muneeb
Baramulla, Sep 17 : The public darbar organised by the BJP in Baramulla on Wednesday brought together delegations from different sections of society, with issues ranging from regularisation of daily wagers to difficulties faced by traders, transporters, industrial associations, contractors, quarry owners, private schools, civil societies, health workers, fruit mandi associations and others.
The programme was part of the BJP’s public outreach campaign across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the upcoming Assembly session. The party’s legislative council had decided to hold such interactions at district headquarters to listen to people’s grievances and take up their issues in the upcoming Assembly session that starts from next week.
Fifty plus delegations met Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and submitted memorandums seeking intervention in their respective matters.
The delegations from three districts of north Kashmir included representatives of private schools, fruit mandi associations, teachers, contractors, quarry owners, sports bodies and other groups. The issues raised ranged from governance and development to sector-specific problems.
Daily wagers and other groups raised the issue of regularisation, while contractors and quarry owners spoke about the difficulties they face in carrying out their work.
Representatives of fruit mandi associations also raised issues related to infrastructure and operations at the mandis.
One of the fruit mandi associations also praised the BJP-led central government for the development of the four-lane Srinagar-Baramulla road, saying it had eased travel between the two districts.
The private schools association sought a review of rules concerning existing NoCs issued to schools. The association also demanded greater autonomy for private schools to run their institutions according to their requirements.
Speaking to the media after the interaction, Sharma said the grievances raised at the programme reflected what he described as a “governance gap” and the failure of the elected government to address people’s concerns.
“This is a public interaction to meet the common masses,” Sharma said, adding that the “connect between masses and government is nil.”
He said people, particularly the youth, were not happy with the present situation.
“People, especially youth, are not happy. The demands will be raised in the Assembly and we’ll revert to all delegations,” Sharma said.
He said the BJP, as the principal opposition party, would perform its role both inside and outside the Assembly.
“Being the principal opposition party, BJP will fulfil its duty and the fight will be from Assembly to roads,” he said.
The public darbar saw people from different sections approaching the Opposition leader with their grievances, including issues that were not directly related to party politics. The BJP said the concerns raised during the outreach would be taken up in the Assembly and with the concerned authorities.
