Ghulam Nabi Azad’s DPAP Pledges to Build Jammu and Kashmir as a Welfare State
23-05-2023 : In a recent address, Ghulam Nabi Azad, the chief of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), expressed his party’s commitment to building Jammu and Kashmir as a welfare state. He emphasized the importance of creating a society where the citizens willingly contribute through taxes and sought their whole-hearted support in this endeavor. Azad also criticized the government’s eviction drive to reclaim state and ‘Roshni’ land, stating that if his party forms the government, they will reinstate the “Roshni scheme.”
The “Roshni scheme,” officially known as the Jammu and Kashmir State Lands (Vesting of Ownership to the Occupants) Act, was introduced in 2001 with the dual objectives of generating resources for financing power projects and granting proprietary rights to occupants of state lands. The scheme initially aimed to confer ownership rights for approximately 1,02,750 hectares of land, but only 15.85% of the land was approved for vesting ownership rights. However, the scheme was repealed in November 2018 by the then-governor, Satya Pal Malik. Subsequently, in October 2020, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court declared the act “illegal, unconstitutional, and unsustainable” and ordered a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) probe into land allotments made under the law.
Highlighting the DPAP’s role in defending the interests of the people, Azad mentioned that his party fought against the government’s regressive move of land eviction during the winter and successfully compelled the administration to withdraw the order. He asserted that peaceful protests and political battles for the welfare of the underprivileged will be common for the Democratic Progressive Azad Party. Azad further expressed his readiness to face any consequences, even if it means confronting lathi charges on the streets, in order to protect the interests of the people.
Referring to the retrieval of ‘Roshni land’ as a “disaster,” the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir pledged to reinstate the act if his party comes to power. The DPAP remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and inclusiveness, welcoming individuals irrespective of their religion, region, or caste. Azad stressed that the party will continue to fight for the rights of all people, without discrimination, and firmly rejects any agenda that seeks to divide people along religious lines.
The Democratic Progressive Azad Party represents hope, advocating for healthy politics that transcend divisive factors. The party strives to create a society that upholds the principles of justice and inclusivity, working towards the betterment of all citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. Azad’s address resonated with the party’s vision of building a welfare state and reestablishing the “Roshni scheme” to support the interests of the poor and the needy.
