Demands reservation of 2 LA seats for Sikhs in both regions; 2 seats for Jatts, one Christian community in J&K
JK News Today
SAMBA, AUGUST 01, 2023: – Apni Party Provincial President Jammu, and Former Minister, S. Manjit Singh today said that the electricity supply system has totally collapsed in Jammu plains and the smart meters have become a source of harassment for the electricity consumers.
Addressing a monthly meeting of Apni Party at Vijaypur, the Former Minister said that the people of Jammu plains have been left with no option by the PDD but to face harassment with the overcharged electricity bills, and constant unscheduled power cuts.
“The electricity charges are beyond the pocket of the general masses, and the electricity bills are excessively charged from the electricity users/consumers leading to outrage across Samba, Jammu, Kathua, and Udhampur,” he said.
He said that the people are getting electricity bills in thousands and some even in lakhs and it has become a new normal to collect charges of the electricity which the consumers never used. “The cheating which is being done with the electricity consumers should be checked and investigated thoroughly so that the accused persons could be brought to book, and general masses could be provided relief,” he added.
He said that as the temperature and humidity has increased in the plain areas, the PDD has increased unscheduled power cuts that are causing unbearable problems for the people especially the elderly ailing and children.
“The Jal Shakti Department has also not been able to supply drinking water and the farmers are unable to pump water for irrigation of their fields in the agricultural land in absence of electricity supply for long hours,” he said.
He said that the PDD has totally collapsed to handle the issue and project the demand of electricity before the Govt so that required electricity can be purchased for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, he referred to the great inconvenience caused to the commuters on Jammu-Pathankot Highway due to the damages to two bridges in Kathua, and huge potholes on the highway from Lakhanpur in Kathua up to Bari Brahmana in Samba district.
“The highway road is not comfortable for the commuters, yet the toll-tax is being collected from the commuters at Sarore Toll Plaza that is illegal and unfair with the people. Therefore, the authorities should revoke the tax collection from the commuters at Toll Plaza till the highway is completed,” he said.
He said that it is criminal negligence and accordingly, action should be taken against the tax-collectors at Toll Plaza.
“The highway is under construction with widening work, and expressway construction,” he added.
Besides, he also referred to the political rights for the Sikh Community, Jatt Community and Christian Community in Jammu and Kashmir and demanded political reservation for their political representatives.
The Sikhs should get two Legislative Assembly seats in Jammu region, and Kashmir regions. Similarly, two Legislative Assembly seats for Jatts, and one for Christian Community should be given in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
He further stated that “Although the Jatts had representation in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly, but after the reservation of their areas, the huge population remained unrepresented. Hence, the Govt should reserve two LA seats for them so that they get their representation in the assembly.”
He also demanded holding of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, and restoration of statehood to the downgraded erstwhile state.
Prominent among those who were present on the occasion include District President, Samba, Raman Thapa, State President ST Wing, Saleem Alam, State General Secretary SC Wing, Joginder Pal, Provincial President SC Wing, Lovely Mangol, Provincial President Jammu Youth, Vipul Bali, District President Legal Cell, Adv Sahil Bharti, District Vice President Ram Lal, District Vice President Molvi Noor, Block President Vijaypur, Mohan Lal Sharma, Block President Bari Brahmana, Babu Ram Bhagat, Block President Parmandal, Manzoor Hussain, Block President Samba, Harjeet Singh, Ram and others.
