All three regions of J-K neglected: Omar

Opposition National Conference (NC) working president Omar Abdullah today claimed the PDP-BJP government had neglected the economic and administrative needs of all three regions of the state and plunged it into a dark period of political uncertainty and instability.

All three regions of the state have been neglected by the PDP-BJP government as it remains invested in dividing people to reap political dividends out of instability and animosity. Be it Kashmir, Ladakh or Jammu all the state's regions are witnessing a stagnation in terms of development and governance as political uncertainty has become a hallmark of the present government which has plunged the state into a dark period of political uncertainty and instability, the former chief minister said.

He was addressing a party workers' convention at Leh, in Ladakh region.

The NC working president said the Chief Minister Mehbooba Muti led government was solely invested in clinging on to power despite the adverse ramifications of an alliance that was crafted for the singular purpose of gaining political power.

While every single political promise made by this alliance has been broken without guilt or remorse, the administrative inertia and cluelessness has translated into the state being pushed back by years in terms of governance and development, he alleged.

The extension of GST to J-K has dealt a severe blow to the state's economy while eroding our fiscal autonomy which was vital to craft fiscal and taxation policies to meet unique challenges that the state faces. Today J-K has no power to create pro-artisan, pro-farmer and pro-business taxation policies to provide a fillip to the state's economy," he claimed.

These powers have been surrendered by the PDP-BJP Government and now rest with the Centre, he said.

"Rhetoric can't be an excuse for delivery and it has now become evident that this Government has sold out and compromised on the interests of the state and its people to remain in power, Omar Abdullah said.

The NC working president also expressed disappointment at the failure of the state government to raise the issue of exorbitant airfare with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and said this was adversely affecting the state's tourism industry.

NC president Farooq Abullah will raise this issue in the Parliament and also with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation as the state government seems least bothered to raise this important issue that affects the lives of millions of people in the state, Omar Abdullah said.