BJP accuses J&K govt of neglecting Jammu region

BJP, the alliance partner in Jammu and Kashmir government with PDP, today said people of Jammu region are being neglected and discriminated despite repeated assurances from Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.
"The state government should honour the commitment made by former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and then by his daughter and the incumbent Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of the equitable development of all the three regions of the state", state BJP leader Virender Gupta said.
He said Mehbooba had assured of development of all the regions and that the differences and the alienation existing between people of Jammu and those of Kashmir Valley would be eliminated.

"However, the fact of the matter is that the people of Jammu region are still feeling neglected and discriminated in the present regime," Gupta said.
He said the renovation work of Mubarak Mandi complex as Dogra Heritage is going on at a very slow pace and the ropeway project linking Mubarak Mandi with Bahu Fort is still in limbo.
"In the tourism sector, Jammu got merely 20-25 per cent funds allocation and out of 13 newly identified tourist spots for development, Jammu has only four whereas rest are in Kashmir province", he added.

Gupta said that Jammu district which has 11 assembly constituencies was allotted Rs 200 crore whereas some of the districts having only one or two assembly constituencies have been provided almost same amount for the development.

This act is highly unjustified with no reasonable explanation, he added.
He said that the Tawi Lake Project in Jammu which was scheduled to be completed in March, has been extended for two years.
Gupta claimed no serious efforts are being made about the diversion of four streams carrying the city garbage in the Tawi river.
"In the allotment of indoor stadiums, out of 12 indoor stadiums envisaged only three are allocated to Jammu region and nine to Kashmir province with two in Ladakh.
The BJP leader said the discrimination is being faced by the people of the region in the matter of development of roads, infrastructure, irrigation, agriculture and horticulture sector.

Gupta cautioned the government of a great resentment brewing among the people of Jammu province and therefore immediate steps need to be taken for the redressal of grievance of the people.