Need Budget’s focus on upskilling youth in old Srinagar: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Feb 4: Stating that the Budget session of the J&K Assembly is expected to witness pro-people announcements, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday said the National Conference government must earmark a dedicated Budget for the old Srinagar city.

Addressing a press conference, Mehbooba said the CM Omar-led government should design skill development programmes, which can be connected to educational institutes in the old Srinagar city to boost employability.

She said a livelihood pattern on the lines of Rehbar-e-Taleem must be developed to create employment, especially in the old city. “ Unlike rural areas, the old Srinagar population doesn’t have sources of income from agriculture or horticulture. There has to be a special focus on job creation here which I also felt during our interactive session ‘kath baath’ in the old city,” said Mufti. Meanwhile, as per KNS, Mufti has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to back her party’s bill seeking a complete ban on liquor in the Valley.

Mufti said the PDP is set to introduce a bill on the issue in the Assembly and appealed to the Chief Minister to “personally intervene” and ensure it is entertained.