NC’s RS member Shammi Oberoi speaks about rausing concerns of J&K people with Centre

STC NEWS DESK
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 10 (STC): Restoration of statehood and constitutional rights remains central to the National Conference’s political agenda and the party will continue to raise the concerns of Jammu and Kashmir before the Centre.
This was stated by National Conference Rajya Sabha member Shammi Oberoi in an interview with Kashmir News Service (KNS). Oberoi said the people of Jammu and Kashmir want their rights back and that governance should ultimately be carried out with the participation of the people.
Oberoi said he has consistently raised the issues of statehood and constitutional rights in the Rajya Sabha. He said he would continue to remind Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah about their commitment to restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“We will continue to fight for our constitutional rights,” he said, adding that the party would pursue the issue through democratic and peaceful means.
Speaking about his entry into the Parliament, he said he was the first Kashmiri Sikh to reach the Rajya Sabha and credited National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for placing their trust in him. He said the decision had also received appreciation from political leaders across party lines.
Oberoi said his political association with the National Conference dates back to 1996 and that he later served as the party’s Treasurer. He also recalled his father’s long association with Jammu and Kashmir politics and the party.
On the functioning of the Omar Abdullah government, Oberoi said the administration was facing challenges because Jammu and Kashmir had not yet regained statehood.
On the concerns of the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir, Oberoi said several demands had been raised with the Chief Minister, including recognition of the Punjabi language, minority status and the creation of a community board.
He said the Sikh community had always lived in harmony with the majority population and expressed hope that its concerns would be addressed by the government.
Oberoi said the National Conference would continue to seek restoration of statehood and constitutional rights and would pursue these demands through democratic and peaceful means.
On reports of a possible reshuffle in the Jammu and Kashmir Council of Ministers, Oberoi said Omar Abdullah had already stated that a reshuffle would take place, although no date had been announced.
He said he hoped the reshuffle would strengthen governance and enable the government to serve the people more effectively.
Oberoi identified employment, healthcare and education as major areas requiring attention in Jammu and Kashmir.
Oberoi also reiterated the National Conference’s position on Articles 370 and 35A, saying the party considers the issue non-negotiable and will continue its struggle for it through democratic and peaceful means. He said protecting land rights and securing employment opportunities for the people of Jammu and Kashmir would also remain among the party’s priorities.

(Straight Talk Communications)