Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, Feb 2: The District Congress Committee (DCC) Poonch, under the leadership of its president Shahnawaz Choudhary, today held a strong dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office, Poonch, as part of the nationwide “MGNREGA Bachao Sangram” launched by the Congress Party.
During the protest, the Congress delegation submitted two separate memorandums to the Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, highlighting several urgent issues concerning the people of the district.
Addressing the protestors and media persons, Shahnawaz raised serious concerns over the systematic weakening of the MGNREGA Scheme by the BJP-led Government.
He said that MGNREGA is a lifeline for rural households, unemployed youth and economically weaker sections, and any attempt to dilute or weaken it amounts to an attack on rural employment and social security. He accused the BJP of deliberately reducing funds and changing the character of the scheme to deprive the poor of guaranteed employment.
The DCC president also strongly demanded the uninstallation of smart meters in Poonch district, stating that their installation has led to inflated electricity bills and long power cuts, pushing common people into distress. He reminded CM Omar Abdullah of his poll promise of providing 200 units of electricity free of cost.
He reiterated the long-pending demand for establishing a Government Medical College (GMC) in Poonch, emphasizing that despite being a border district, Poonch continues to lack adequate higher healthcare facilities. He raised issue of establishment of NLU in Pir Panjal region.
Raising the slogan “Hamari Riyasat, Hamara Haq”, Shahnawaz asserted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be restored their democratic, constitutional and political rights. He warned that if the genuine demands of the people are ignored, the Congress Party will intensify its democratic and peaceful agitation in the coming days. The Dharna witnessed the participation of senior Congress leaders, party workers and supporters in large numbers.
Prominent among those present during protest were- Sain Abdul Rashid, Asif Mir, Ajaz Choudhary, Sikander Noorani, Sheraz Bajar, Waheed Shah, Rashid Kasana, Ch Fazal, Fiaz Dewan, Asif Bajar and others.
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