Restoration of statehood important for national interests: Karra

Srinagar, Dec 7: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) President Tariq Hameed Karra has once again called for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as critical for both regional welfare and national interest.

He said that the Congress party has consistently prioritized the statehood demand since the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019. “The restoration of statehood is not only important for the people of Jammu and Kashmir but also serves the nation’s broader interest,” Karra told reporters here at party headquarters.

He criticised the Central Government, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for failing to take concrete steps toward addressing this issue. “Despite repeated reminders to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, there has been no progress,” he said.

The JKPCC Chief assured that the Congress party would continue to press for J&K’s political and constitutional rights. “We will not back down on this demand. It is essential for the well-being and development of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

The senior Congress leader also highlighted his party’s efforts to raise this issue in various parts of UT, including Jammu and Rajouri, reiterating that restoring statehood remains a top priority for the party. JKPCC president expressed concerns over the ongoing power supply crisis in Kashmir, citing key issues impacting electricity generation and distribution in the Union Territory (UT).

“For months, we have experienced little to no rain, which has drastically reduced power generation from hydropower plants,” he said. The lack of adequate rainfall has created a severe power deficit, affecting both households and businesses, he added.

Karra also underscored the importance of electricity sourced from the National Grid, particularly during the winter months in Kashmir and the summer months in Jammu. He expressed concern about whether the UT is receiving the necessary supply from the National Grid to meet rising demand. “We need clarity on the availability of electricity from the National Grid and whether it is being distributed effectively,” he said.

Karra pointed to confusion regarding decision-making authority in the UT. He questioned whether responsibility for power generation and distribution lies with the Lieutenant Governor’s administration or with other state-level entities, attributing the uncertainty to ambiguous business rules.

“This lack of clarity in governance is a major issue. Once the business rules are clearly defined, we can resolve this confusion and improve electricity management in J&K,” he said.