Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 12: Former Minister and senior Congress leader Dr Manohar Lal Sharma projected the burning issues of Billawar constituency and other areas of the region.
Addressing a large public meeting at Mandli, in Billawar Constituency today Dr Sharma expressed grave concern over the alarming rise in unemployment across J&K UT. He stated that educated youth are facing frustration due to delayed recruitment processes, cancellation of examinations, and limited job opportunities in both public and private sectors.
He emphasized the need for transparent and time-bound recruitment, revival of local industries, promotion of agriculture-based enterprises, and encouragement of small-scale entrepreneurship to tackle the growing crisis. He also pointed out that skill development initiatives must be aligned with actual market demands to prevent further alienation of youth.
Sharma criticized the change in MGNREGA scheme, alleging that rural workers are not being provided the guaranteed number of workdays and that wage payments are often delayed. He said that in a predominantly rural region like Billawar, MGNREGA is a lifeline for economically weaker sections, and any dilution of the scheme directly affects poor families. He demanded strict monitoring mechanisms, transparency in job card issuance, and timely release of funds to ensure that rural workers receive their rightful benefits without bureaucratic hurdles.
Highlighting the impact of inflation, Dr. Sharma said that continuous price rise of essential commodities, fuel, fertilizers, and daily-use items has placed an unbearable burden on farmers, laborers, pensioners, and middle-class families. He urged the administration to adopt concrete measures to stabilize prices and provide targeted relief to economically weaker sections.
Sharma expressed deep concern over the deteriorating healthcare infrastructure in rural and hilly areas. He pointed out the acute shortage of doctors, specialists, nursing staff, diagnostic facilities, and essential medicines in government hospitals/PHCs. He demanded urgent filling of vacant posts, strengthening of rural health infrastructure, and better ambulance services. He also demanded shortage of teaching staff in schools.
The meeting witnessed participation from prominent persons including Akash Bharat, PYC president; Th Bhudhi Singh, Block President Ramkot; Raj Kumar Kumblya, Romesh Verma, Romal Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Karan Singh and others.
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