Rehan Qayoom Mir
Jammu, Feb 06: PDP leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra on Friday sharply criticised the Union Territory’s Budget, calling it “hopeless” and “a vague document” that fails to address the pressing concerns of the people, especially the youth.
Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly complex in Jammu, Parra, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Budget offers no “healing or hope” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is a hopeless budget. The document presented does not offer any healing or hope to the people of J&K. There is nothing for the youth, even though 60–65 percent of our population is young,” he said.
Parra said youth, farmers, daily wagers and the unemployed had expected the Budget to finally address their long-pending issues.
“People voted with great hope that unemployment, daily wagers’ issues, farmers’ concerns and horticulture challenges would be addressed. After 15 months, this second Budget reflects no clear intent. A budget is a reflection of intent, and that intent is missing,” he added.
He also alleged that several announcements made in the previous Budget remain unfulfilled. “Last year, promises of free gas cylinders were made. Till now, no one has received them. The government is only playing with numbers,” he said, adding that ration cards under the AAY category were reduced even as new promises were made.
On employment, he accused the administration of ignoring local youth while outsourcing thousands of posts.
“Nearly 24,000 posts have been outsourced, 15,000 vacancies remain unfilled, and around six lakh outside labourers are working here. Our own youth are unemployed, stressed and directionless,” he said. Parra further alleged that the government had failed to deliver on its promise of a new industrial policy—(KNO)
