‘INDI Alliance will hit road if Statehood not restored after polls'
Jammu Tawi, Sep 25: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday engaged with over 300 business owners and professionals from across Jammu and Kashmir and promised them of giving utmost importance to economic development and job creation in the Union Territory.
Gandhi referred to the event at a public rally here and said until the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) get a boost, there will be no employment avenues in J&K.
Addressing the concerns at the ‘Dogri Dham with RG' event hosted by the All India Professionals' Congress (AIPC) here, Gandhi promised that a Congress-led government in Jammu and Kashmir will prioritise economic development and job creation.
“He promised to ensure that the to-be-formed Congress alliance government in Jammu and Kashmir will give utmost importance to economic development and job creation in the state,” an AIPC statement said.
He outlined several key policy proposals aimed at boosting the local economy, including improved access to capital for MSMEs, export incentives and measures to reduce tax-related burdens on businesses.
The event attracted 328 participants, with one-third representing business owners and half comprising private sector professionals, it said, adding the overwhelming response led the organisers to restrict participation due to capacity constraints.
During the event, Gandhi participated in a candid Q&A session, where attendees highlighted specific challenges facing businesses in the region, AIPC said.
Topics ranged from access to capital for MSMEs to export incentives and the ongoing issue of tax harassment.
The event marks a significant moment in Gandhi's ongoing efforts to address economic concerns in Jammu and Kashmir, promising a future with targeted policies to support growth and development in the region.
Earlier addressing an election here today, Rahul Gandhi restoration of statehood was the “right” of people of Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that the INDI bloc will hit the road and use “full force” in Parliament and outside if the Centre fails to restore it after Assembly polls.
He said the 2019 decision to bifurcate the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs) was “a grave injustice” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“This has never happened in the history of India that we have taken away statehood and transformed a state into a Union Territory,” Gandhi, who is the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, said.
Gandhi criticised the current administration for allegedly prioritising “outsiders” over local residents, claiming that the presence of the Lieutenant Governor has marginalised local interests.
“As long as the Lt Governor is there, outsiders will benefit and locals will be sidelined,” he said, arguing that the statehood was revoked to facilitate governance by non-residents.
He told the youths that the restoration of statehood is “your right and your future” and J&K cannot move forward without it.
He further stated that the restoration of statehood is crucial for the region's future, asserting, “J&K cannot move forward without it.”
In addition to his focus on statehood, Gandhi criticised the central government's economic policies, alleging that they favour a select few business magnates.
“This government runs for Ambani and Adani,” he claimed, denouncing the GST and demonetisation as tools designed to benefit these conglomerates.
Referring to migrant Kashmiri Pandits and refugees from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, he said all the promises made to them by the Manmohan Singh government will be fulfilled after the formation of the National Conference-Congress government in J&K.
He also said the smart electricity meters will be removed and Punjabi will be granted official language status.
The former Congress president concluded his address by accusing the BJP government and the Lt Governor of undermining Jammu's economic strength, which he described as the central hub of J&K essential for facilitating the production chain from the valley to the rest of the country.
