Srinagar- The PDP on Saturday released its manifesto for the Assembly elections, promising to pursue the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir to its “original status”, and advocate for confidence-building measures (CBMs) and regional cooperation between India and Pakistan.
The manifesto was released during a function at the party headquarters here by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti along with senior leaders of the party.
“The PDP is resolute in its pursuit of restoring the constitutional guarantees that were unjustly scrapped, and is committed to restoring Jammu & Kashmir to its original status, ensuring that the voices of its people are heard and their rights are safeguarded,” it said.
The manifesto said the “unconstitutional and illegal revocation” of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019 has “further complicated the Kashmir issue, deepening the alienation felt by the people of the region”.
Mehbooba said the ‘resolution’ of the lingering Kashmir issue was far more important for the party to bring Jammu and Kashmir out of political ‘uncertainty’.
It said the PDP firmly believes that meaningful engagement is the only way forward.
The party put thrust on improving relations between India and Pakistan, promising to advocate for diplomatic initiatives between the two neighbours, emphasising conflict resolution, CBMs, and regional cooperation.
The manifesto titled ‘People’s Aspirations’ promised to establish full connectivity across the Line of Control (LoC) for trade and social exchange.
It advocated for a regional free-trade area and shared economic market.
The party strives for the opening of old and traditional trade routes to central and south Asia through Jammu and Kashmir, it said.
The manifesto strives for revocation of the Public Safety Act (PSA), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Enemy Act, and said it committed the revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
It also promises to revisit and address the cases of “unjust” job terminations — referring to the sacking of J-K government employees over terror abetment charges.
Promising to protect the land and employment rights of the people of J&K, the party said locals will have the first right in all government tenders as well as mining contracts.
It said, if elected to power, the party would accelerate the process to identify and fill all government vacancies on a fast-track basis within one year.
“Sixty thousand daily wagers to be regularised within one year,” the manifesto read, adding to launch initiatives to create jobs in key sectors like tourism, agriculture, and technology.
On the issue of the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, the PDP’s manifesto said the party is committed to the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland, “ensuring they are welcomed back as honoured members of our community”.
“We will strive to take all the stakeholders on board to secure an end to this humanitarian crisis. This is not just a return, but a restoration of the cultural and spiritual essence of Kashmir,” it said.
The party promised revoking the current one-BHK scheme to minimum allocation of two-BHK apartments for every returning family, and to strive that Kashmiri Pandits are the first beneficiaries of the Centre’s scheme of five marlas of land for landless families.
It also said the party would advocate for the opening and promotion of Sharda Peeth across the LoC as a full-fledged religious pilgrimage site.
“This initiative aims to reconnect people with their cultural and religious heritage, fostering greater understanding and peace between communities on both sides of the LoC,” it added.
The PDP in its manifesto had promised free 200 units of electricity to every household if voted to power, besides one time settlement for pending electricity bills.
The manifesto also highlighted free water to every house and abolishment of the meter system for water. “12 cylinders of LPG free of cost per year to every household. Bringing back sugar and kerosene under PS. No stamp duty for women purchasing property. Abolish property tax for all households,” the manifesto reads.
The party said that it will strive for opening of old traditional trade routes to central and south Asia through J&K. Besides, it vows for revocation of PSA and UAPA and Enemy Act to put an end to unjust arrests of political and social activists, journalists, civil society and concerned citizens.
It also mentions protecting the land and employment rights of the people of J&K, re-establishment of J&K human rights commission, revisit and address cases of unjust job terminations to ensure fair treatment and job security for all employees.
“Transfer Hydro Power projects to Jammu and Kashmir, free legal aid for prisoners to be enforced, Restore Darbar Move and Waqf Board to their former excellence with transparency and community focused approach,” reads the manifesto.
“We will establish a dedicated cell to assist youth and their families with passport related difficulties, shift academic session in winter zone from March to its original timing in November, free electricity to all temples and shrines with sarai facilities to promote religious circuit, including Punjabi in official language schedule,”it said.
The PDP will restore Autonomy and dignity of Press Club, revisit policy of selective curtailment of advertisement to newspapers by the current regime, and dedicated budget allocation for Muharram, it added.
The party also talked about eliminating undue harassment of individuals on highways to promote safer and more respectful road experiences. “Committed to protect free speech and support for independent media in the face of unprecedented government repression.”
PDP will double funds under social security schemes like old age pension, widow pension and pension for disabled from Rs 1000 to 2000. “OT scheme for J&K Bank loan customers to be reviewed. First right to locals in all government tenders. Revisit mining contracts and with special preference to locals,” the party highlighted in its manifesto.
It also talked about increasing PM Kisan installment from 2000 to 4000 quarterly by adding state shares.
Besides promising amnesty and waiving of all KCC loans for genuine farmers, it said that the party will create a dedicated corridor for the smooth movement of trucks during harvest season and provide toll tax relief for horticulture produce to ensure timely and cost effective transportation for farmers.
“Strive to reinstate the old pension scheme for all government employees, replacing the current national pension scheme, and increase the honorarium of cooks in the school education department from 1000 to 2500.”
The party also said that it will increase the honorarium of Voluntary Home Guards at par with other states. “We will devise a transfer policy for ReTs, distributing area allowance for J&K police, regularization of SPOs and implementation of Minimum Wages Act,” the manifesto reads.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
