PDP seeks support of political parties on alcohol ban, other key issues in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 28: The PDP has sought the support of NC, Congress and BJP among other parties on alcohol ban and other key issues in Jammu and Kashmir including proprietary rights for the owners of houses constructed on public land in Jammu and Kashmir travel and regularisation of daily wagers.

Former Chief Minister and Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti has written to  Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir seeking support on the three bills moved by PDP legislators in the upcoming J&K Assembly.

In a post on X, PDP, wrote, “ @OmarAbdullah  Sahab , urging a united front on key issues affecting J&K. PDP introduces crucial bills on land rights, worker regularization & alcohol prohibition. Politics aside, the people’s welfare must come first.”

In a letter by Mehbooba Mufti to Congress general secretary, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, PDP said, “ @GAMIR_INC  Sahab, urging collective action on key issues in J&K. PDP introduces crucial bills on property rights, worker regularization & alcohol prohibition. The peoples welfare must rise above politics.”

Similarly in a letter to Leader of Opposition in J&K Legislative Assembly, Sunil Sharma, PDP wrote, “ @Sunil_SharmaBJP Sahab urging bipartisan support for key PDP bills on property rights, worker regularization & alcohol prohibition.”

The party also posted its letter to Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone on the issues on social media saying,” @sajadlone , urging support for PDP’s key legislative bills on property rights, worker regularization & alcohol prohibition. A call for collective action beyond political divides.”

About its letter to CPI(M) leader MY Tarigami, PDP posted “ @tarigami MY Tarigami Sahab seeking support for PDP’s key legislative proposals on property rights, worker regularization & alcohol prohibition. A call for unity on people’s issues beyond party lines.”

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLAs have submitted three private member bills for the upcoming Assembly session which is commencing from March 3.

PDP legislator from Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra has moved a private member bill titled “The Jammu and Kashmir (Regularization and Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Public Land) Bill, 2025” to confer the ownership rights on houses constructed on public land in Jammu and Kashmir.  The other two bills pertain to the regularisation of daily wagers and liquor ban and have been named as Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions for Regularization of Adhoc, Daily Wagers, Need-Based and Other Temporary Workers) Act, 2025; and Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of Alcohol Bill, 2025.

Earlier a bill proposed by PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, sought a complete ban on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in Jammu and Kashmir.

PDP has expressed concern that the increasing alcohol consumption is becoming a serious threat to society, particularly its impact on the youth. The bill by PDP MLA proposes stringent penalties, including imprisonment and hefty fines, for anyone found violating the ban.

National Conference MLA Ahsan Pardesi has also submitted a private member’s bill seeking a ban on alcohol in Kashmir and other Muslim-majority regions of Jammu and Kashmir while Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has also expressed strong support for bills aimed at banning alcohol in the Union Territory.