People's Democracy

J&K Kisan Tehreek Holds Convention

Majid Jahangir

ON June 8, Jammu & Kashmir Kisan Tehreek held a significant convention in Srinagar which, after daylong deliberations, framed its demands to be pressed for. One of its resolutions asked the government to ensure the availability of ration in all the rural areas through the public distribution system (PDS). It also demanded inclusion of in the ration card lists the genuine consumers whose names had been deleted for no reason whatsoever.

The convention also sought adequate relief for the fruit growers whose crops have suffered heavy damages due to extremely cold weather conditions during the spring season. The demand regarding immediate implementation of a crop insurance scheme for farmers and fruit growers was raised once again vigorously.

The government was also urged to make chemical fertilisers and other agricultural inputs available to the farmers at the earliest. The convention deplored the non-availability and uncontrolled prices of fertilisers as well as the negligence of the concerned departments.

Veteran kisan leader Ghulam Hussain Naqashbandi chaired the convention while the organisation’s state general secretary Ghulam Nabi Malik, its state Mohammad Afzal Parrey, senior kisan leader Abdul Hameed Wani and CPI(M) state secretary M Y Tarigami addressed the convention. They criticised the government for neglecting the problems and burning issues facing the rural areas of Jammu & Kashmir. Referring to the irregular and erratic power supply in rural areas, they accused the Power Department of unjustified fee charging as the consumers are not getting even two hours of uninterrupted power supply.

In his key address at the convention, M Y Tarigami impressed upon the government to implement the Panchayat Act after due amendments so that the people who have participated in the panchayat elections with great zeal don’t get disillusioned. He said democratisation of the Panchayat Act and real empowerment of panchayat bodies is a must for the overall development of rural areas and uplift of the farming community. He sought bold and decisive initiatives for eradication of corruption which, he said, has spread its tentacles from the top to the lowest levels of administration. The quick and exemplary action against proven corrupt elements will send a positive message across the administration and will help in purging the bureaucracy from the menace of bribery, red-tapism and other malpractices, Tarigami affirmed. He also suggested legislation for establishment of a Lokpal type organisation, besides strengthening the existing anti-corruption bodies like the State Vigilance Organisation and State Accountability Commission.