DAYA SAGAR
It is not out of place to mention here that in the Election Manifesto placed before the voter citizen during the 1st Elections to the Legislative Assembly of UT of J&K Omar Abdullah as Vice President of NC had said < “This manifesto is not just a list of promises; it is a pledge with the people. It reflects the blood, sweat, and tears of those who came before us, who dreamed of a prosperous and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir. It is your voice, your aspirations, your resilience, and your resolve. I stand before you as your son, your brother, your friend committed to seeing every promise in this manifesto fulfilled”>. Pledge has a sanctity and the voter citizen should/ takes that in that sense only and must carry that after the governments are formed. The ‘manifesto’ promises that attract immediate attention of the voter citizen and could be taken for immediate delivery after the governments are installed when reference is made Election Manifesto -2024 like that of National Conference could be briefed like (i) The Jammu and Kashmir assembly, in its first list of business after elections, will pass a resolution against the centre’s decision to strip the
region of its statehood and special status. (ii) Formulate a policy to provide land to the landless and those who have been in uninterrupted possession of state lands for an extended period, granting ownership rights under a considered policy (iii) The JKNC is strongly committed to the dignified return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits (iv) Ensure that passport verification procedures are simplified, removing hurdles and making it easier for people to obtain passports (v) To-up all vacancies in government departments within180 days (vi) The Job Application will be made free for all the examinations (vii) Provide 200 units of electricity free (vii) will implement a one-time settlement for pending electricity bill
arrears in both rural and urban areas (viii) Provide Rs. 5000 per month to female heads of households to EWS (ix) Provide 12 cylinders free of cost per year to EWS (x) We will enhance the old age and widow pension to 3000 (xi) Women shall be entitled to travel free in all public Transport (xii) will work towards the establishing of Minority Commission (xiii) Increasing FREE rice allocation to 10 kg per person per month (xiv)The general public will also be entitled to 10 kg rice/Atta per person per month.(v)will explore new tourist destination in J&K, including regions in Pir Panjal, Chenab, and other areas (xvi) Free education for all upto University level (xvii) shall make all efforts for all engineering and medical examinations to be conducted locally including NEET and other exams.(xviii) will formulate a policy for regularisation in a time bound manner for Paramedical staff in Associated Hospitals, GMC ??Casual labours. ?Daily wagers ?CIC operators ?Contractual Employees ?Home Gard Rehbar-e-Khel and other category of temporary employees(xix)In view of the experiences of states who have opted for old pension scheme. We will find ways to reinstate the old pension scheme.
(xx) We will resolve land lease policy and ensure all genuine leases are renewed. A brief on some related parts of the text of LG’s address to the 1st Session of UT Legislative Assembly on 4 Nov 2024 will surely give an idea of the level of satisfaction felt by the voter citizen who would have seriously took the Election Manifesto of the National conference and the briefs related to items of immediate relief excluding long process promises/ programmes are (i) . Speaker, Members, It gives me great pleasure to welcome all the newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly to the inaugural session of the Assembly. These elections, the first since the abrogation of Article 370 in August2019 and the reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory, are a critical milestone in restoring democratic governance after a period of political uncertainty. It is a privilege to witness the restoration of this august house, which once again reflects the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.(ii) 2. One of the most encouraging aspects of the 2024 elections was the high voter turnout, reflecting the enduring faith of the people in democratic processes (iii) 5. Our people now look up to the Government with many hopes and expectations. My Government is fully geared up to realize these hopes and fulfil these expectations. The aspiration for a return to the Statehood remains strong! Prime Minister, on several occasions, has already expressed his commitment to restoring statehood, which has been a source of rekindled hope and reassurance for the people. The Council of Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir has recently passed a unanimous resolution calling for the immediate restoration of statehood. This resolution reflects the collective will of the elected representatives, echoing the aspirations of the people for the reinstatement of full democratic governance. My Government will make all efforts for restoration of full Statehood and Constitutional Guarantees available to the State (iv) 6. My government is fully committed to implementing the promises made to the people for further political empowerment and for creating an enabling environment for employment, sustainable development,
social inclusiveness and expansion of the economy for enhancing the
overall quality of life (v) 13. My Government is committed to provide 200 units of free electricity to deserving households for which modalities are being worked out.(vi) 16. My Government is committed to providing Free, Clean and Safe Drinking Water to All. For quality assurance of drinking water, and Kashmir. Healthcare facilities and services in rural areas,
People are still hopefully expecting that the Omar Abdullah Government will come with orders and proposals which immediately concern the common man for day to day requirements and living with possible ease .No doubt programmes that involve finances would require matching inputs but people expect that any such limitations must have been assessed by the vote seekers before making electoral promises.
(The writer is a Sr Journalist & a known analyst of J&K affairs).