BJP accuses Omar-led Govt of step-motherly treatment towards Jammu, alleges Rs. 26 Cr withheld from JMC.
Despite devastating floods and record rains in Jammu, funds diverted to Srinagar; BJP vows to resist “anti-Jammu mind-set”
Jammu Tawi, Sept 12:
The Omar Abdullah-led National Conference (NC) government is under fire for what the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) calls “blatant regional discrimination,” after Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) was allegedly denied its due share of CAPEX funds while Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) received full allocation.
At a time when Jammu is still reeling from flash floods, cloudbursts, and record rainfall that crippled roads, drains, and water supply systems across dozens of villages, the BJP claims the government has turned a blind eye to the city’s plight. Despite JMC submitting a proposal worth ₹60 crore for urgent civic works, not a single penny has been released, while SMC has been granted its entire allocation and is preparing to roll out new developmental projects.
“This is a shocking example of step-motherly treatment,” BJP spokespersons Gaurav Gupta and Zorawar Singh Jamwal said at a press conference on Thursday. “Jammu is being forced to suffer without relief, while Srinagar marches ahead with CAPEX-backed development. The Omar Abdullah government has once again exposed its anti-Jammu mindset.”
“This is a shocking example of step-motherly treatment,” Gaurav Gupta said. “Despite Jammu suffering from record-breaking rains, cloudbursts, and flash floods on August 26 that devastated roads, drains, and water supply systems, the Omar Abdullah government has not released even a single penny against JMC’s Rs. 60 crore proposal. Instead, full funds have been handed over to SMC for Srinagar’s development.”
The BJP leaders highlighted that the Housing & Urban Development Department (H\&UDD), directly under the charge of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, is responsible for this disparity. “The selective release of funds shows deliberate bias,” Gupta said. “It is appalling that when villages in Jammu are still struggling without government or media attention after the floods, Srinagar has been prioritized for CAPEX allocations. This unequal treatment cannot be justified.”
They added that immediate release of the pending Rs. 26 crore for JMC would allow urgent works such as construction of retaining walls at vulnerable nallahs, permanent road restoration, and strengthening of water supply systems. “Temporary fixes may provide short-term relief, but without permanent solutions, Jammu will face the same devastation every monsoon,” Gupta warned.
Zorawar Singh Jamwal, echoing the concern, asserted that the people of Jammu will no longer tolerate such discrimination. “Our demand is crystal clear—equal treatment, timely release of funds, and accelerated development for Jammu. Why has the government given full funds to Srinagar while deliberately stalling Jammu’s share? This betrayal will not be forgotten,” he said.
The BJP leaders recalled that before the NC government took office, both Jammu and Srinagar received equal shares of development funds, often in the range of Rs. 100–150 crore annually. However, since the formation of the present government, nearly 60–70% of funds have been directed towards Srinagar, sidelining Jammu’s needs.
Concluding the press conference, Gaurav Gupta demanded that the government immediately release the pending Rs. 26 crore to JMC. “Jammu deserves nothing less than equal treatment. We will resist this injustice at every level until our people get what they are entitled to,” he said.
