STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: While welcoming the decision with regard to establishment of All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Kashmir, National Conference on Wednesday asked the PDP-BJP Government to clarify its stand on setting up of a similar institute in Jammu, as divergent posturing by different political entities of the ruling establishment in the Union and the State had precipitated the issue and confounded the situation.
“We have all along welcomed the decision to establish AIIMS in Kashmir and have also demanded similar institutes for Jammu and Ladakh”, Provincial President Devender Singh Rana said in a statement, adding that the response of the PDP and BJP has been irresponsible, confusing and ambiguous.
He said the hanging of issue has taken serious proportions with normal life in Jammu getting haywire by continuous hunger strike and the proposed 72 hour Bandh. The responsibility for bridging the scenario to such an impasse straightway goes to the Coalition Government, which has not been able to resolve the issue. “National Conference had suggested to the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed to lead an all party delegation to the Prime Minister and seek special dispensation for Jammu and Kashmir”, he said, adding that the former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had done the same thing for getting a Central University for Jammu.
Rana referred to the demand being raised in Kashmir about setting up of IIM and IIT in the Valley and justified it by saying the State having undergone a most traumatic phase of its history during the past few decades needs a special dispensation. “It should not be treated as any other state, as the people have suffered immensely and deserve a special treatment especially in respect of medicare and education”, he said and hoped that the Centre would appreciate the sensitivity of the issues and take appropriate decisions earnestly so that situation is saved.
The Provincial President regretted over the diversionary tactics being adopted by the PDP-BJP coalition and said it has not been able to gauge the public pulse, least to speak of satiating the urges and aspirations of different segments of society and regions of the State.
Rana expressed hope that the Centre will appreciate the sensitivity involved in the issue and take immediate call on resolving this earnestly. “The matter cannot be allowed to drift and therefore immediate necessary steps are needed to be taken to save the situation.
“Satiating the urges and aspirations of the people is the paramount responsibility of the governments both at the Centre and in the State”, he maintained.