New Delhi, Jan 27: National Conference MP Chowdhary Ramzan on Tuesday raised a series of political, legal and economic concerns during a meeting of floor leaders of all political parties held in Parliament, calling for urgent government intervention on issues affecting Jammu and Kashmir and other vulnerable sections of society.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health Minister and Leader of the Rajya Sabha J. P. Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State L. Murugan, and floor leaders from across party lines.
Speaking at the meeting, Ramzan, as per sources, strongly pressed for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, stating that despite a massive popular mandate, the elected government has not been allowed to function independently. He said the continued restrictions were preventing the government from discharging its constitutional duties towards the people.
Raising concerns over the treatment of prisoners, Ramzan urged the Centre to repatriate inmates lodged outside the Union Territory so they could access legal aid as mandated by law. He also sought the release of prisoners involved in minor offences, arguing that prolonged detention in such cases amounted to undue hardship.
Referring to the security situation following the recent Delhi bomb blast, the NC MP cautioned against what he described as harassment of labourers, students and traders across the country. While condemning acts of terror, he said innocent citizens should not be subjected to profiling or collective suspicion.
On the economic front, Ramzan demanded relief for farmers affected by the prolonged closure of the National Highway and successive natural calamities, including hailstorms and untimely rainfall. He called for the waiver of Kisan Credit loans in affected areas. He also sought suspension of interest and loan recovery for the tourism sector, which he said had suffered heavily following the Pahalgam attack.
Additionally, Ramzan called for a review of the 40 per cent contribution requirement under the MGNREGA scheme, stating that poorer regions like Jammu and Kashmir were unable to bear such financial burdens, defeating the objective of employment-generation programmes.
