STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday held a meeting with members of District Congress Committee Jammu (Urban) to discuss party affairs. The deputation comprising seniors district Congress leaders from Jammu East, Jammu West, Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituencies was led by former Minister Yogesh Sawhney. The deputation discussed various burning issues including statehood and cancellation of Darbar move besides other party affairs with Azad.
Former Chief Minister of J&K directed District Congress leaders to get prepared for a massive agitation programme, to fight for complete statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, as revocation of statehood has brought immense hardships to people of Jammu & Kashmir. “From jobs to land, citizens of J&K have been deprived of many opportunities. We don’t want the kind of polity present in Delhi or Pondicherry but we seek complete statehood with full political rights for citizens,” he added. The deputation also expressed strong concern over lack of business in Jammu city due to cancellation of Darbar Move.
Others present on the occasion included Ritu Choudhary (Councilor), Chander Shekhar Sharma, Ram Magotra, Dr Ramakant Khajuria, Uttam Singh, Rajesh Sharma, Sat Pal Sapolia and Vijay Chib.
Speaking on the occasion, Sawhney said that economy was already badly hit due to economic crisis that engulfed the country due to pandemic and cancellation of Darbar Move will increase the losses further. “With Darbar move from Srinagar to Jammu during winters, people in huge number used to visit Jammu, thereby adding to economy of region. Many small and independent businesses were completely dependent on this influx of people for their livelihood. Moreover, it was a good way of bridging social and cultural divide between Jammu and Srinagar regions,” said Sawhney. The former MLA further said that there are no practical benefits of discontinuing the practice but it would depriving our businessmen and hardworking people of their livelihoods and earnings. Ending Darbar move practice will only deepen economic crisis besides causing economic hardships to citizens of Jammu city, he maintained.