Mehbooba Mufti asks NC to support Land Rights & Daily Wagers Bills; extends support to NC’s third candidate in RS elections

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 23 (STC ): Former chief minister and President People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a press conference held here today has asked the National Conference to ensure the Land Rights Bill and the bill for daily wagers are passed in the current Assembly session to protect locals and daily wage workers.
Stating that the Assembly session had begun in a constructive atmosphere, several other issues still need urgent attention.
She said she had requested support from National Conference president Dr.
Farooq Abdullah to ensure the passage of these bills. “I spoke to Dr. Farooq to help us pass our bill. The National Conference has a majority in the Assembly. When I presented the bill, it was called ‘Land Jihad’ by some, but we hope it will be supported,” she said.
“The government has put local landowners at risk by threatening to cancel leases and transfer properties to outsiders. The leases of many hotels in Kashmir are under threat. Hotel owners who have operated for decades are being told their leases will be terminated and auctioned,” she said. She added that the main issue after the removal of Article 370 was protecting Jammu and Kashmir’s land, and the recent actions undermine that purpose.
Mehbooba said her party has introduced a bill in the Assembly to regularise ownership of houses, shops, and hotels for locals. “Poor people with houses and shops should get ownership. Similarly, hotels run for generations should not be taken away from local owners,” she said.
About her party’s support to candidates in Rajya Sabha elections, Mehbooba said the PDP will support NC candidate Shammi Oberoi as a third preference to prevent the BJP from gaining ground. “We are giving our three votes to the NC’s third candidate. This is to ensure that if the BJP wins the fourth seat, blame is not placed on us,” she said.
(Straight Talk Communications)