Continued delay for restoration of statehood will cause great harm to the generation to come:  Dy.CM Surinder Choudhary

• Appropriate time has come for the Centre to fulfill its promises for restoration of Statehood: Rattan Lal Gupta

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday said the Restoration of Statehood to Jammu & Kashmir is not merely a political demand but an essential prerequisite for safeguarding democracy, ensuring effective governance, and accelerating the all-round development of the region.

Addressing  public meetings at Bari Brahmana, Vijaypur, Samba in District Samba  and Hiranagar, Kathua in District Kathua along with Provincial President Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta. Choudhary said that every passing day without the restoration of full statehood is causing irreparable harm to the future of Jammu & Kashmir. "The continued delay will adversely affect not only the present generation but also generations to come by slowing development, weakening democratic institutions, and creating uncertainty in governance," he asserted.

Choudhary said that Jammu & Kashmir is a sensitive border region of immense strategic importance and a world-renowned tourist destination. Such a unique region deserves a fully empowered, democratically elected government capable of taking independent decisions in the best interests of its people. He added that the existing dual power structure, where authority is divided between the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor, has resulted in administrative bottlenecks, delayed decision-making, and avoidable obstacles in implementing development programmes.

He said the people of Jammu & Kashmir have repeatedly demonstrated their faith in democracy by participating in elections despite numerous challenges. Their democratic mandate must be respected by restoring full statehood at the earliest. Continued denial of statehood is inconsistent with the spirit of the Constitution and India's federal democratic framework.

The legislator’s party and other alliance partners have decided to hold a strong protest on 20th of July at Jantar Mantar Delhi to remind the Centre leadership to restore the Statehood without any further delay. He also requested the people of Jammu to participate in a Public meeting to be held on 12th of July at Maharaja Hari Singh Park Jammu.

Addressing the gatherings Rattan Lal Gupta Provincial President Jammu said that the reminded the Central Government of its repeated assurances regarding the restoration of statehood and urged it to translate those commitments into action without any further delay. He said that restoring statehood would strengthen democratic institutions, improve administrative accountability, attract investment, boost tourism, create employment opportunities, and ensure balanced and inclusive development across all regions of Jammu & Kashmir.

He emphasized that the demand for statehood transcends party politics and reflects the aspirations and dignity of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. The Centre should act without further delay and restore full statehood in the larger national interest and in keeping with its constitutional and democratic commitments.

Mr Gupta appealed to the people to participate in the mega rally to be held at Maharaja Hari Singh Park Jammu near Fortune Hotel at the Bank of Tawi on 12th of July at 10:30 am.

Among others who were present in the meeting included:  Sudagar Gupta District President Samba, Mohinder Singh former JCCB, Sham Narian Mehta District President Kathua Rural, Ajeet Kumar Sharma District President Kathua Urban, Rajesh Pargotra, Rajni Devi Working President Women Wing Jammu, K.K Bakashi District Secretary Kathua, Shoket Choudhary District President Samba ST Cell, Puran Chand, Ajay Sharma, Satpal, Rajeshwar Singh, Balbir Singh, Prem Verma, Anoop Gupta, Sharief Choudhary, Parveen Kousar, Ashu Thakur and other party functionaries were also present.