Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (NC) on Monday released its manifesto, promising to strive for the implementation of the full autonomy resolution passed by the assembly in 2000, the restoration of Article 370 and 35A, introduce laws to protect jobs and land, seek the release of political prisoners, and review the cases of employees terminated over the past five years.
The manifesto also includes redrafting the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019; providing 200 units of free electricity; repealing the Public Safety Act; ensuring a dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits; and creating 1 lakh jobs for youth, with the passage of the J&K Youth Employment Generation Act within three months.
Besides this, it urged for the facilitation of talks between India and Pakistan.
Flanked by senior party leaders, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah released the manifesto a day before the notification for the first phase of elections was issued.
“Strive for the implementation of the full autonomy resolution passed by the assembly in 2000. To restore Articles 370, 35A, and statehood as prior to August 5, 2019. In the interim period, we will endeavor to redraw the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, and the Transaction of Business of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir rules, 2019. The assembly, in its first list of business, will pass a resolution against the Centre’s decision to strip the region of its statehood and special status,” reads the manifesto in its initial pages.
Omar Abdullah said that the people of J&K have to fight to regain their powers, adding, “At the very least, we will get statehood back for Jammu and Kashmir. Within the state, all powers required to fulfill the promises are with the government of Jammu and Kashmir, and we will fulfill these promises.”
He added that if the Government of India fails to honor its promise of restoring statehood, he fears they may again have to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court for justice.
Criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly failing to accept Article 370, he said, “We won’t accept defeat… we will fight until the situation changes in the country.”
Free 200 units of electricity, repealing the Public Safety Act, releasing political prisoners, committing to the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits, easing passport verification, ending unjust terminations, and stopping unnecessary harassment of people were among some of the top points in the manifesto.
The manifesto has promised 1 lakh jobs for youth and the passing of the J&K Youth Employment Generation Act within three months, while also providing 12 gas cylinders free of cost to those from economically weaker sections.
The manifesto also promises free travel for women in all public transport, enhanced marriage assistance, and increased medical allowance for pensioners to ₹1,000 from ₹300, besides the establishment of a minority commission and the strengthening of the Public Distribution System.
“We promise incentive-linked jobs under the start-up scheme and employment in the energy sector through government facilitation and incentive-linked mini hydropower generation projects, including solar power projects,” the manifesto reads.
The manifesto also promises the transfer of hydropower projects to Jammu and Kashmir, as recommended by the Prime Minister’s committee.
“We will implement a one-time settlement for pending electricity bill arrears in both rural and urban areas. To address the demands of industries, we will explore feasible ways to provide some respite in power tariffs, ensuring a more favorable environment for industrial growth and sustainability. We will provide free drinking water to each household,” it adds.
The NC manifesto also promises easier access to higher education, stating, “We will set up a hospitality and tourism university, make higher education accessible for all by creating six higher education institutions, and establish two skill universities, one each in the Jammu and Kashmir divisions, besides introducing a scheme to guarantee that no school operates without a qualified teacher.”
The manifesto also said that industry status will be given to the tourism sector and that new destinations will be developed, including spots in Pir Panjal, Chenab, and other areas.