 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 1: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), has condemned the BJP government for exacerbating youth frustration through its anti-youth policies. He criticized both the central and Union Territory administrations for plunging the youth of J&K into darkness and uncertainty. Gupta made these remarks while engaging with JKNC Youth functionaries at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan in Jammu.
Gupta underscored the severity of the unemployment crisis in J&K, stating that over 7 lakh youth are currently without jobs. He highlighted the alarming situation of drug addiction among the youth, quoting a statement made by a Union Minister in Parliament estimating nearly 13.5 lakh drug addicts in J&K. Gupta further lamented the underutilization of professionally qualified youth, such as over 25,000 doctors and 30,000 paramedics awaiting employment.
The NC leader criticized the administration's failure to address the shortage of staff in health institutions despite the presence of thousands of trained healthcare professionals. He expressed dismay over the lack of opportunities for nearly 50,000 trained technocrats in the region.
Gupta reminded of promises made by Home Minister Amit Shah to boost industrialization in J&K during his parliamentary address in 2019, yet lamented the lack of progress in this regard. He blamed the government's anti-industry policies for the near-closure of the industrial sector in the region.
Highlighting the disparity between promises and actions, Gupta called for transparency regarding the implementation of industrial projects, urging the administration to issue a white paper on the matter. He contrasted the industrial growth during the National Conference's rule with the current administration's failure to attract investments and create job opportunities.
Gupta emphasized the need for a popularly elected government, suggesting that only such a government could effectively address the challenges faced by the youth and the broader issues of misgovernance in the region. He expressed confidence in the electorate's decision to support the National Conference in the upcoming Assembly polls to steer J&K away from what he described as the BJP's ineffective governance.
The meeting was attended by various NC officials, including Vijay Lochan, Chairman of the SC Cell, S. Tejinder Singh, District President of Jammu Urban YNC, Nitish Gowsami, Provincial Secretary of Jammu YNC, Zamir Quershi, Advocate Provincial Secretary of Jammu YNC, S. Arunpal Singh, Working President of NCSU, S. Balbir Singh, Advocate, and others. |
