Slow on growth, coalition disappoints youth in Valley

Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 2

The youth in the Kashmir valley, who normally remain out of the state’s active political process, had lots of hopes from the PDP-BJP government, but feel disappointed by the government’s “careless and anti-youth policies”.

Since the formation of the first-ever PDP-BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir, they had been waiting for a recognisable change on the ground from Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government to turn their fortunes, but they are now a “dejected and disappointed lot” as they feel the government is yet to make a beginning on account of development of the state.

The slogan for change in Kashmir, coined by the PDP, has remained a farce as the ruling party has virtually failed to deliver as per the expectations of its electorate.

“It took government five months to constitute the Public Service Commission, a constitutional body that regulates the recruitment of gazetted officers in various government departments. The new recruitment policy is still in limbo while the government has no clear-cut policy for the youth, especially the unemployed,” said Samiya Naqash, a civil services aspirant.

Mufti Sadia, a young entrepreneur, who is running the shop Hangers The Closet in Sahra City Centre mall in Srinagar, said, “The government has failed to deliver in a way it should have done during these six months. It is premature to comment on its performance, but this period should have set the trend. Even our capital city, Srinagar, is lacking development. Our business has come down and there is not much scope of improvement in sight,” Sadia said.

Sadia said the government had not done anything for flood victims, which should have been their priority. “Being a flood victim, I know the pain of the affected people, but the government seems unaware of it and remains insensitive towards them,” she added.

University students are not happy with the performance of the PDP-BJP coalition government and feel that promises made by both coalition partners are yet to be fulfilled.

“The PDP, which represents Kashmir in the government, has not fulfilled its promises made during electioneering. Even after forming the government with the BJP with an aim to bridge the gap, the PDP-led government has failed miserably,” said Javed Ahmed, a postgraduation student from Pulwama.