Youth National Conference Demands Elected Government to Address Kashmir’s Challenges
YNC Kashmir holds Provincial meeting at Nawa-e-Subha
Srinagar, 13 Aug: The Jammu and Kashmir Youth National Conference Provincial President Kashmir Salman Ali Sagar Tuesday said that only an elected government can effectively address the current challenges faced by the people of Kashmir.
He said this while addressing the provincial body meeting of Youth National Conference Kashmir province, held today at the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha. The meeting was presided over by Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani and Convened by the Provincial President YNC Salman Ali Sagar. District President Srinagar Peer Afaq Ahmed was also present.
Provincial office bearers including Irfan Zehgeer, Abid Wani, Shahid Kitab, Sheikh Ovase, Salman Mattoo, Peer Asrar, Zone Presidents Mushtaq Mir, Waqar Khan, Peerzada Faroz and YNC district presidents participated in the meeting.
During the breadth of the meeting, the current political situation, administrative issues, problems and difficulties faced by the people, especially the challenges faced by the youth were discussed. All the participants presented their opinions and said the anti youth policies of the incumbent LG administration have reached a crescendo.
While addressing the meeting, Nasir said that “the role of youth is very important for building a better society and future. The energy and enthusiasm of young people can bring about significant social change. They are often at the forefront of movements advocating for human rights, environmental sustainability, and political reform, which are important for a better society.”
He further said that unfortunately Kashmiri youth are facing the toughest challenges. “The sufferings, difficulties and challenges that the people, including the youth, are currently facing can only be addressed by a popularly elected government,” he said.
In his address Salman Sagar said that the LG’s claims regarding the electricity situation are contradicted by the exorbitant power hikes and prolonged power outages being experienced by the people.
Rejecting the LG’s assertion that the people of J&K are receiving the cheapest power and have not experienced any power hikes in the past three years, Salman emphasized that the ground reality paints a different picture. “The big claims of the J&K administration, now under direct central government control since its reclassification from a state to a Union Territory on August 5, 2019, have proven to be empty.”
“Currently, the demand for electricity in Jammu and Kashmir stands at 2800 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA), while the supply is only reaching around 1800 MVA. This shortfall has resulted in extensive power cuts, impacting not only electricity but also water supply. The promise of 24-hour electricity by the government is now being exposed as a hollow one.”
“In the last six months, electricity bills have skyrocketed from Rs 500 to Rs 1800, a threefold increase. Despite the installation of smart meters by the KPDCL, the department is failing to accurately monitor power consumption, opting for a one-size-fits-all approach instead. Meanwhile, the LG continues to boast about ensuring adequate power supply to the people.”
“But let’s ask the people of Jammu, who are losing sleep during the sweltering summer nights. Let’s ask the farmers whose crops are withering due to the lack of electricity to power their pumps. The reality on the ground speaks volumes, and it’s time for the authorities to listen,” he added.
Salman urged the party youth wing to take the lead in solving the problems of the people and prepare for the assembly elections and work hard for the success of the party candidates.
