J&K Govt’s policies golden veil over failures: LOP

Jammu, Feb 5: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, on Thursday accused the ruling National Conference (NC)-led government of failing to fulfil its promises on employment, electricity, governance, and autonomy, describing its policies as a ìgolden veil over failuresî.

Speaking during the ongoing budget session of the Assembly, Sharma, said the governmentís address largely reiterated statements made over the last 25 to 26 years and lacked concrete measures for the people of J&K.

Challenging the government from the floor of the House, the LoP said, ìOur right is to discuss in this House issues for the well-being of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Whether someone likes or dislikes what I say, it can be disliked. But that does not mean we will excuse the governmentís failure to keep its promises.î

Raising concern over employment, Sharma said that the government had outsourced around 24,000 jobs in the past one-and-a-half years, which, he said, had undermined the aspirations of meritorious youth.

He also criticised the governmentís handling of electricity distribution under various schemes, particularly the promise of providing 200 units of free electricity to economically weaker sections.

ìLast year, the budget speech stated that 8 lakh families under AAY would get electricity. A year has passed, yet this has not been implemented. The government does not have a vision document on where these units will be delivered or how they will be funded,î he said.

The LOP questioned the governance mechanisms in place, alleging that common citizens were compelled to move from one office to another to access basic services, despite the governmentís claims of being ìon the groundî.

Sharma also accused the ruling party of maintaining a double standard in its engagement with the Centre, referring to past assurances regarding the restoration of Article 370 and special status.

ìPromises have accumulated over decades, but nothing substantial has reached the people. Legally, there is no special status, and the rhetoric around it is misleading,î he said. Calling for introspection, Sharma urged the government and political parties to ensure transparency and accountability.

He said the youth, who were promised jobs and opportunities, were being deceived, while generations of residents had been misled by unfulfilled commitments.

However, the BJP leader welcomed the decline in youth joining militancy, saying, ìFor the first time in 36 years, no youth from Jammu and Kashmir became a terrorist in 2025. Every youth of Kashmir has become a friend of India. That is why the gun has been kicked out.î