PDP gave voice to people's concerns with conviction: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Nov 26 (UNI) Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti today said her party has not only created an environment for upholding the right of security and dignity of the people, but also voiced their just concerns and aspirations with conviction.

Addressing public meetings in Banihal area, she said the impact of measures taken by the PDP-led coalition government to ensure safety of life and dignity of the people was being felt and acknowledged by the general public in far-off places as well.

Ms Mufti said there was an urgency of consolidating on this public goodwill by taking even bolder measures that would have visible positive impact on the fast-changing situation in the state.

''The people of the far off areas of the state have suffered immense miseries because of turmoil as these became alien to development during that period,'' she added.

The PDP president said the people of these areas deserve more than equal share in development so that they can have the luxury of getting the basic amenities of life.

''The people in far flung areas are still craving for basic amenities such as sufficient rations, safe drinking water, roads, educational and healthcare facilities. While these innocent people have been exploited by politicians, nothing tangible has been done to improve their living conditions,'' she added.

Ms Mufti said even today most of the families in these areas do not get adequate ration to feed themselves and their children.

Despite severe draught conditions, the people were getting ration as per the 1981 census which was grossly inadequate for their families, she added.

''With the increase in population, their ration must also be enhanced, which unfortunately has not been done. While most of the families in these areas are living below the poverty line, they have not got the benefit of food, social and job security schemes.'' The PDP chief called for a comprehensive survey of all these areas so that the deprived people get their due in food, social and job security schemes.

Interacting with residents of Banihal area, Ms Mufti expressed concern over the complaints of harassment of the locals by the Nachalna Army camp.

UNI