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Discrimination
Poonch, Rajouri people raise voice againstJammu
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Poonch, August 18
Even as several political parties and organisations continue their fight, in the form of the agitation over the Amarnath land transfer issue, to seal an equal share for Jammu as that of Kashmir, people in Rajouri and Poonch have raised their voice against Jammu, as they feel left out of the development process.

Residents say as most of the funds go to Jammu, healthcare, roads, education and other sectors in these districts present a sorry picture.

Quoting some statistics from an economic survey of the state for 2006-07, student Saqib Ahmed says whereas the road length per 100 sq km in Jammu district is 70.81 km, it is 34.17 km and 12.66 km in Poonch and Rajouri, respectively.

He says in education sector, Jammu has 2,278 government and private run primary, middle, high and higher secondary schools, whereas in Poonch and Rajouri, the number is just 1,065 and 1,400, respectively. “As a result of which, the literacy rate inJammu is 77 per cent where it’s 51.20 per cent in Poonch and 58 per cent in Rajouri,” he adds.

Another resident Bittu Sharma says: “Whereas the government created five model villages in Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts got one and two model villages, respectively.”

“In Jammu, out of around 30,000 households, about 29,000 are getting electricity, about 28,000 are getting drinking water. In our district, of around 60,000 households, just about 34,000 are supplied with electricity and about 22,000 are getting drinking water,” he adds.

“Even if you compare the budget allocation, we get meager funds as compared to Jammu and Kashmir who eat away majority of the funds,” he rues.

A local BJP leader, on the condition of anonymity, admits that Poonch and Rajouri are getting a lesser share for development activities.

He says: “I believe it is because of ministers and MLAs from our area, who have failed to get the desired funds for various development activities.” However, a senior officer in the state administration claims that all the districts are getting equal focus in various development activities and there is no question of discrimination against any district.