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In J&K, Cong chief promises rice at Rs 2, wheat at Rs 1 per kg
Dinesh Manhotra & Ehsan Fazili
Tribune News Service

Chanderkot (Ramban)/Bandipore, November 21
Congress president Sonia Gandhi today accused the National Conference (NC) of creating hurdles in implementation of the Food Security Act in Jammu and Kashmir. The Act aims at providing foodgrains to the needy at subsidised rates.

She, however, promised that the Congress, if voted to power, would provide rice at Rs 2 per kg and wheat at Re 1 per kg to people of J&K.

“For the sake of secularism and to thwart designs of communal forces, the Congress formed coalition governments in J&K. But due to coalition compulsions, we could not implement some of the revolutionary policies of the previous UPA government in this state,” Sonia said while addressing her first public meeting in Jammu since campaign for the Assembly elections started.

“The UPA had implemented the Food Security Act in the entire country to ensure food to all. But the NC in J&K did not show enthusiasm in extending the Act to the state,” she regretted. Congress workers from Banihal, Ramban and Gool-Arnas attended the rally that was held in the Chanderkot area, which falls under Ramban Assembly seat.

As more than 40 per cent population in Doda, which comprises Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts, is below poverty line, Sonia chose to talk about poverty and secularism to take a dig at the NC and the BJP. “Congress alone can bring peace and development in J&K. Our policies unite people and strengthen secular forces. We don’t divide them to reap political benefits,” she said.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, senior party leader and the leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, also addressed the rally. He said the way BJP leaders were touring Doda, it seemed that they were trying to capture the region by hook or by crook. “Hundreds of RSS workers have spread in the entire region to saffronise this Valley. I started my political career when I was a student. Never before I came across such a communal divide in this region,” he said.

Meanwhile, in another rally at the Sher-e-Kashmir Sports Stadium in Bandipore, she accused the BJP of playing politics over providing relief to the flood victims of J&K. She said the ruling party at the Centre promised the sky but did not follow it up with action. “Relief and rehabilitation work after floods is going on a very slow pace,” Sonia said while comparing it with the measures taken by the UPA government at the Centre and the Azad-led Congress-PDP coalition government in J&K after an earthquake hit the state in 2005.

She said the then government was quick in providing relief and assistance to the quake-affected Uri and Tangdhar areas of Baramulla and Kupwara districts, respectively.

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