GCC decries delay in restoration of statehood

Srinagar, Apr 15: The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) Jammu and Kashmir has expressed disappointment at the “inordinate delay in restoration of statehood to J&K”, said its statement. In a meeting here, the Group noted with serious concern the adverse impact of “lingering uncertainty across sectors which, in turn, threatened people’s faith in the very purpose and potential of democratic institutions,” said the statement.

The GCC statement further said, “Diarchy in governance, as it obtains on ground, is fraught with dangerous consequences.

Educated unemployment is on the ascend, touching a new high. Public grievances continue to elude effective redress. Expectations attached to an elected Government coming into being after a hiatus of over six years risk turning into a big disappointment”. The GCC has appealed the Union Government to consider restoring statehood to J&K without further dithering , taking due cognisance of the Supreme Court Orders (of December 18, 2023 that statehood to J&K be “restored at the earliest and as soon as possible” and an assurance, to that effect, of the Attorney General of India before the Hon’ble Court, it said. Notably, GCC is a non-political civil society collective of former civil servants, academics, Advocates, retired judges, doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs etc.