Jammu, 24-Jan:- Strongly criticising the response of Home Minister Mr Amit Shah to the overwhelming demand of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with regard to restoration of statehood, National Conference Provincial President Mr Rattan Lal Gupta today expressed surprise over conveniently ignoring the commitments made in Parliament.”By backtracking from the assurances, the issue is now being tagged to ‘appropriate time’, which is admission that situation is not normal in J&K is not normal despite the claims of the Centre and the BJP”, Mr Gupta said in a statement issued from Sher-i-Kashmir Bhavan here.Mr Gupta referred to the rhetoric and routine promises held out during the so-called good governance conference by the Home Minister, saying the people of this part of the country cannot be misled anymore as they know the gimmicks by the BJP led dispensation at the Centre, which is totally insensitive towards the issues confronted to Jammu and Kashmir. He said the people of marginalised Jammu and Kashmir are craving for restoration of their snatched rights and guarantee over the safeguard of the legitimate rights of the permanent residents over jobs, lands and businesses. Referring to the burgeoning unemployment problem and denial of jobs to skilled, unskilled and professional youth in the central projects being carried out in Jammu and Kashmir, the Provincial President said this is injustice and discrimination as the locals are the primary stakeholders. He said the LG’s administration should not test the patience of the youth, who feel terribly let down.He said unemployment has to be tackled as a priority with guarantee to the permanent residents in government jobs. Besides , he also sought 70 per cent jobs for educated unemployed youth besides hundred per cent recruitment of skilled and unskilled workers of Jammu and Kashmir in the central government establishments operating in the state besides IIMs, IITs. Mr Gupta decried the lackadaisical attitude of the administration and said that an elected representative is on protest over denial of jobs to locals in Kishtwar but nobody finds it necessary to take cognizance and sort out the issue. He expressed concern over cancellation of the police recruitment drive at the last moment despite the eligible aspirants having prepared for the process. He sought the process to be expedited for the larger interest of the border youth, as also others who have been desperately craving for the jobs. He said that Omar Abdullah led government had launched on-the-spot recruitment in the police during his tenure and this initiative had rekindled hope among the unemployed, especially enterprising youth, who were longing for making a career in the belt force.
