Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari urges government to reopen tourist destinations, grant power bill amnesty, hike MBBS, BDS internship stipends

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 05 (STC): Former minister and Apni Party chief Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has listed his demands, including reopening of closed tourist destinations in Jammu and Kashmir, an amnesty on accumulated household power bills, and an immediate increase in the internship stipends for MBBS and BDS interns.

Criticising the NC government in his speech at the party’s workers’ convention at Charar-e-Sharief today, Altaf Bukhari said that the government had completely failed to address the people’s issues despite securing a huge mandate.
“We understand that certain powers rest with the Lieutenant Governor, but the Chief Minister is second only to the LG in terms of authority and executive power. Despite this, he has failed to take the LG on board and work collectively to resolve the pressing issues facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir, who gave his government a massive mandate and placed their trust in it”, Altaf Bukhari said.

Commenting on the detenues issues, he said, “Years and even decades have passed, yet many of our youth continue to remain in jails. This government, despite having received a clear public mandate, has not even raised their plight or made their release a matter of serious public concern. How long are they expected to remain behind bars? Do they have to spend their entire lives in jails? The government must show compassion and take up this issue seriously.”
He demanded the government to announce amnesty for accumulated power bills of households and an immediate increase in the internship stipends of MBBS and BDS interns.
Blaming the NC government of misleading people through fake promises during elections, he said, “We know that this party has a history of deceiving people through hollow promises and misleading slogans. However, we expected that after receiving a massive public mandate in the 2024 elections—particularly in the backdrop of the events of August 5, 2019—the NC would realise the pain and plight of the people and show some empathy towards them.”
“He added, “Unfortunately, it has failed to live up to those expectations. Instead of standing with the people and addressing their genuine concerns, the government has remained largely indifferent to their grievances. The people gave the NC a huge mandate in the hope that it would represent their aspirations and alleviate their difficulties, but sadly, they have been let down once again.”
He expressed grave concern over the rising unemployment rate, saying that the youth are the future of Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that the government must prioritise the creation of sustainable livelihood and employment opportunities to secure the future of the younger generation.
He also urged the youth to maintain a positive outlook towards life and strongly appealed to them to stay away from the menace of drugs and the culture of violence and guns. He said that these two evils have caused immense damage to society, and stressed that it is imperative for the younger generation to remain completely away from drugs and guns.
Urging the government to reopen the closed tourist destinations, Bukhari said, “As far as security measures and initiatives are concerned, there should be no compromise. At the same time, the government must also consider that these places provide livelihoods to many households. Therefore, they should be thrown open to tourists now.”
Talking about the local issues, Altaf Bukhari said that a developmental deficit is evident in the area. He said people apprised him of the hardships they were facing due to inadequate infrastructure at the local hospital and had also raised several other pressing public issues.
He assured the people that he would take up these matters with the higher authorities and ensure that they were addressed promptly.
Altaf Bukhari appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to fulfil their promise of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
He said, “The events of August 5, 2019, have been deeply painful for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Ours was the oldest state in the country, and the loss of statehood along with our special constitutional status on August 5, 2019, was a profound loss for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It felt as though a deep wound had been inflicted on our hearts. I earnestly appeal to both the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Hon’ble Home Minister to fulfil their commitment and restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir without any further delay. This is not merely a political demand; it is a matter of dignity, trust and justice for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”

(Straight Talk Communications)