NPP releases Election manifesto

‘Will seek amendment in Article 370, delimitation, KPs’ return’

 PS BALI

Jammu, Nov 26:

 Jammu Kashmir Panthers Party (JKNPP) on Wednesday released its manifesto here promising to seek amendment of Article 370, delimitation of Assembly constituencies, safe return of Kashmiri Pandits and new mode of recruitment, besides settlement of Jammu migrants and ‘POK refugees’.

The party also said it would give top priority to the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction process in the flood-affected areas of the state.

While releasing the party manifesto, party Patron, Prof Bhim Singh said that the JKNPP stands for amending article 370, which is an ‘impediment’ in the center-state relations.

"If elected to serve, the party will seek the amendment in article 370 as per the need and viability of the article, so as to provide benefits to the people of all the regions of the state” said Prof Bhim Singh adding that the party would also strive to end ‘discrimination’ among the three regions of the state.

"JKNPP believes in equitable development of all the three regions of the state. A development path reflects the party's vision of the inclusive and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions of the state," he maintained.

He said, Panthers Party stands for the delimitation of the constituencies, which was promised in 2002 during Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the then coalition partners.

“The delimitation of the constituencies was promised in 2002 and was finalized under the chairmanship of Dr. Manmohan Singh, but due to unknown reason same could not be implemented,” said JKNPP patron, adding the party stands for delimitation of constituencies, so that each constituency shall get equitable representation.

The party manifesto further promises the safe return of the Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland Kashmir. “Panther Party pledges for the safe, secure and dignified return and rehabilitation of all Kashmiri Pandits,” said Prof Singh.

He further maintained that the party vows to ensure respectable settlement of militancy affected migrants of Jammu region, who were forced to flee from Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Reasi and Doda.

“The manifesto also kept provision for the settlement of Pakistan refugees, who had been settled by the J&K government headed by Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah during 1947-48” he said and added   “The problem of rehabilitation of the Refugees from PoK deserves urgent attention, so that their agony is brought to an end forever.”

Besides this the manifesto also proposed provisions of new mode of recruitment, ST status to Paharis/Kolis, empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), referendum in Gilgil-Baltistan and ‘Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK)’, protection of civil liberties, no detention without trial, welfare of women and farmers and crusade against corruption, besides restoration of Sialkot-Jammu Railway line, railway link to connect Jammu with Poonch and Kishtwar, regularization of all daily wagers and free electricity for farmers have also constituted the election manifesto released for assembly election 2014.