Farooq questions intent behind delay in passing Women Reservation Bill in Parliament

JAMMU MARCH 9 (HS): Without naming the BJP, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah questioned the intent behind delay in passing the pending Women’s Reservation Bill to give 33 per cent representation to women in Parliament to ensure their political empowerment. Dr Farooq said without political empowerment, women empowerment and emancipation will remain a distant dream. If the society has to grow harmoniously, their role in decision making will have to be ensured. This is the least women need to prosper and progress, he added. The National Conference President made a parallel attack to passing of bills on abrogating special status of Jammu and Kashmir and the three farm laws, saying while earlier will deprive the state subjects here of their lands and jobs, the latter will lead to the corporate sector fiddle with the holdings of poor peasants across the nation. “The balloon of promises with regard to jobs and development in Jammu and Kashmir post repealing of Article 370 and Article 35 A has punctured”, Dr Abdullah said, adding that nothing is visible on ground zero. On the contrary the normal process of development has come to a grinding halt, resulting in defunct utility services, erratic power and drinking water supply besides dilapidated condition of the road network. The tall claims of a Rs 80,000 crore package was a big joke. Same is true about the latest announcement on release of Rs 28000 crore for the so-called development of Jammu and Kashmir, he maintained. The NC President expressed concern over unprecedented hike in fuel prices and LPG gas cylinders, saying this has hit the masses the most. Inflation is staring at the poor with house wives facing the brunt on account of skyrocketing prices of the essential commodities. He said soaring prices and transportation charges have broken the backbone of the poor.