RAMGARH: Congress Leader and former Minister Yashpal Kundal and DDC Suchetgarh Taranjit Singh Tony today strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for betraying the mandate of the people in the Jammu region.
In response to the anti-people policies adopted by the present dispensation, a massive protest was held at Ramgarh today in which Tony and Congress leader and former Minister Yashpal Kundal led the protest.
Highlighting the grievances of the people in Jammu, Yashpal Kundal expressed concern over the step-motherly treatment being meted out to the region under the present dispensation. He accused the BJP leadership of miserably failing to protect the rights of the people in Jammu and called for immediate action to rectify the situation.
“The present government has transformed into a regime marked by high taxes, numerous toll plazas, and rising inflation,” Kundal said adding that the common man is burdened with excessive taxes, placing an undue strain on their livelihood.
Tony expressed his great disappointment with the government’s decision to contradict the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu. He asserted that the people of Jammu took to the streets today, but the government remains unyielding in its approach. He threw light on the growing anguish among the general public due to the fake and inflated power bills received after the installation of smart meters in Jammu. He also emphasized that the toll plaza at Sarore was established against NHAI norms, which was also clarified by Union Minister Nitin Gadar in Parliament. Despite this, the government has failed to take adequate steps in removing the toll plaza.
He called on the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to address these concerns urgently for the benefit of the people.
Tony demanded the immediate abolishment of the Toll Plaza at Sarore without any further delay. He highlighted the need for the government to provide ownership rights of custodian lands to farmers and requested the waiver of rents for pump sets. Tony also urged the removal of property tax to alleviate the financial burden on the people.
Accompanied by protesters, Kundal and Tony later submitted a memorandum to the Tehsildar Ramgarh, with the intention of forwarding it to the Lieutenant Governor. The memorandum encapsulated the grievances of the people in Jammu and stressed the urgent need for swift action to address their concerns.
District President Sanju Sharma, Youth leader Mandeep Choudhary, Babble Gupta and dozens of people of the area joined the protest.