STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad on Saturday said the eviction drive to retrieve government land was “unlawful” and claimed that he will bring back the Roshni Scheme if his party is voted to power in the next assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
Interacting with various delegations, led by Sobat Ali Provincial Incharge ST wing and a delegation headed by District President Udhampur Ashwani Khajuria, Azad said that everyone, including government officials, who used the scheme to usurp large chunks of land will face the law.
The Gujjars community delegation informed Azad that they were being constantly harassed by the government officials, who keep saying that they were living on forest land and their houses and shops would be razed.
Azad was also apprised about the various other issues by the delegations and he assured them they these will be taken up at appropriate forums for early redressal.
Azad urged them to intensify the party activities and reach out the people at grassroots. Meanwhile, DPAP General Secretary RS Chib has appealed the LG Manoj Sinha to provide compensation to the farmers of various areas of Jammu region whose paddy crops suffered extensive losses due to heavy thunderstorm and rains. Chib said that the damage to the crops was substantial due to high velocity winds and thunderstorm. He said the poor farmers who were pinning hopes on this crop to sustain their livelihood are reeling under stress due to the huge losses.
“I urge Manoj Sinha to ensure the farmers are fully supported and compensated for their losses,” he said, adding that the the farmers of various parts of Kathua, Samba and RS Pura suffered the massive damage.
He said the poor people who also lost their kaccha homes due to this windstorm should also be rehabilitated.
Chib also urged government to replace the outdated infrastructure of poles in these areas. Chib assured the delegations of the affected areas that their concerns shall be raised at appropriate quarters. Among others present on the occasion included G.M Saroori, Vice Chairman, Jugal Kishore Sharma Provincial President, Anita Thakur Gen Secretary, Ch Gharu Ram Zonal President, Brig Mohan Sharma, Pritam Kotwal, Gourav Chopra, Vishal Chopra, Priti Khajuria and others.