Apni Party will do everything possible to protect farmers’ interests and rights; their welfare remains our priority, says Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari

Ghulam Hassan Mir demands commission to ascertain why farming is losing its appeal in J&K; calls for revival measures

JK News Today

Jammu, June 14: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Sunday said that his party remains committed to ensuring that all the concerns and challenges faced by farmers in Jammu and Kashmir are addressed promptly.

He said that the Apni Party will leave no stone unturned to protect the rights, interests, and livelihoods of the farming community across the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, the party’s Senior Vice President, Ghulam Hassan Mir, called for the constitution of a commission to investigate the factors responsible for the declining attraction towards farming in Jammu and Kashmir and to demanded measures for reviving the sector.

Both leaders were addressing a workers’ convention held at Kotli Shah Doula, R.S. Pura, today. The event saw a large turnout of farmers from Jammu district and nearby areas. This event was organised by president of Apni Party’s Kisan Wing Sarpanch Badri Nath Sharma.

Expressing deep concern over the forcible eviction drives targeting traditional farmlands in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that the government must remember that these actions have become a major source of distress for farmers, who are the backbone of society and the driving force of the economy.

He said, “In many cases where the government has already acquired agricultural land, the owners have not been provided compensation in accordance with the prevailing market value.”

He further said, “At some places in R.S. Pora, farmers were in possession of agricultural land even though they did not own it. However, they had possessory rights over the land and were therefore entitled to receive due compensation upon being dispossessed. Unfortunately, these farmers have yet to receive this compensation.”

“Such injustice”, he said, “has only increased the hardships and suffering of farming communities.”

However, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari assured that the Apni Party would ensure that farmers’ issues and concerns are addressed effectively.

He said, “Apni Party is committed to protecting the rights and interests of farmers, and we will stand firmly with the farming community at all times.”

“We will knock on every door to ensure that the issues facing farmers are addressed effectively,” he added.

He appealed to the Union Government to take concrete measures “to protect agricultural land, address farmers’ concerns, and safeguard their well-being at all costs.”

“We in Jammu and Kashmir do not have a strong industrial base. Our land is our primary source of livelihood and economic security. We cannot afford to lose it, especially our agricultural land,” he said.

He added, “That is why the Apni Party pursued the matter vigorously and ensured that, following the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, the Centre restored exclusive land rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We convinced the Central Government to ensure that the people of J&K retain their exclusive rights over land and employment opportunities in the region.”

He also called for the effective implementation of the Central Forest Act in Jammu and Kashmir to protect the rights of the concerned communities.

Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said that the whopping Rs 28,000-crore industrial development project failed to deliver the expected benefits, including employment opportunities, to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said, “When the Industrial Development Package worth Rs 28,000 crore was announced for J&K, we were told that it would usher in development and generate employment opportunities here. However, today we know as a matter of fact that, out of this amount, Rs 20,000 crore has been given to industrialists from outside J&K, who even brought labour from outside.”

“Is this the kind of development and employment opportunity for the people of J&K that the Union Government had promised?” he asked.

The President of Apni Party further urged the Government to grant district status to R.S. Pora, emphasizing its strategic geographical location and other pertinent factors that justify such an elevation.

Taking a dig at the ruling NC’s proposed sit-in protest in Delhi, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari said:

He said, “We had suggested joint efforts to ensure that New Delhi restores J&K’s rights, including statehood, but the NC declined. Let me tell you that they are not serious about these issues; rather, they are befooling the people. They will achieve nothing from their proposed visits to Delhi, except some political and economic mileage for themselves.”

Addressing the occasion, former Cabinet Minister and party Senior Vice President Ghulam Hassan Mir, who also held the Agriculture portfolio, stressed the need to investigate “why farming is losing its appeal in Jammu and Kashmir and why the younger generation is increasingly turning to other livelihood options instead of agriculture.”

He said, “Farmers are facing serious challenges and concerns that have been overlooked by the government.”

“A commission should be constituted to investigate these challenges and concerns so that they can be addressed effectively,” he added.

Ghulam Hassan Mir also demanded the implementation of a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers, saying “it is their rightful entitlement and would ensure a guaranteed return on their hard work and investment.”

Addressing the occasion, party’s Provincial President Manjit Singh, expressed grave concern over the rising unemployment in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the government appears least concerned about what he described as a pressing issue.

He said, “The government seems least bothered about this pressing issue. No concrete measures are being taken to generate employment opportunities for our young population. This is a serious concern. Our youth are our future, and we cannot afford to leave them distressed and grappling with the challenges of unemployment.”

“The government must take concrete steps to address this growing crisis and provide avenues for gainful employment,” he said.

Manjit Singh urged people to support the Apni Party, saying it is committed to safeguarding and defending the rights of the people.

Besides Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and Ghulam Hassan Mir, the prominent party leaders who spoke on the occasion or who were present there included the party’s Provincial President Manjit Singh, Provincial Senior Vice President Faqir Nath ji, Provincial Vice President Arun Chhibber, Provincial Secretary & In charge Trade wing Ajaz Kazmi, Provincial secretary & In-charge Minority Wing Balbir Singh, Party Spokesperson Sahil Bharti, Senior leader Bodh Raj Bhagat, District President Jammu Abhay Bakaya, District President Samba Raman Thapa, District President RS pura Harpreet Singh, District President Rural A Pushap Dev Uppal, District President Doda Adil Wani, Provincial President Women Wing Pavneet Kour, Provincial Media Incharge Vaibhav Mattoo, Senior Vice President District Jammu Neelam Gupta, Provincial President Youth Wing Vishal Naraina, Block President Baribramna Bhau Ram, District President R S Pora Women Wing Ritu Pandita, District President Jammu Minority Wing Dalbir Singh, District President Minority Wing R S PURA Inder Paul Singh , Senior leader Mohammad Arif , Harjeet Singh, Mamjeet Singh , Inderpal Singh, Tirth Singh & Others.