'Khushaal J

Jammu, May 23 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and patron National Conference Farooq Abdullah today said the slogan of 'Khushaal Jammu and Kashmir' remained a mere slogan and alleged that people living in rural areas, especially of Poonch and Rajouri districts, have been completely ignored by the coalition regime.

''The problems of the remote areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts have increased manifold since the present coalition government took over the reign of power,'' Dr. Abdullah said at a public meeting in tehsil Mandi of Poonch district.

''Much hyped promise of 'Khushaal Kashmir' doled out by the coalition government has remained just a hollow promise because of the ruling coalition's failure to deliver at the ground level,'' Dr Abdulah alleged asserting, ''the total breakdown of administrative machinery during the coalition rule and rampant corruption has taken the state backwards.'' However, Dr Abdullah also congratulated External Affairs Minister Parnabh Mukherjee for his successful tour to Pakistan and hoped that the talks initiated between India and Pakistan would move further and both the governments would try to reach to a logical conclusion to bring lasting peace in the region for prosperity.

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