In a significant parliamentary meeting on Tuesday, political leaders from across party lines gathered to discuss pressing issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir and other vulnerable sections of society. The meeting was attended by prominent ministers including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Health Minister and Rajya Sabha Leader J. P. Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State L. Murugan, and floor leaders from various parties.
During the session, National Conference MP Chowdhary Ramzan raised several critical concerns, emphasizing the need for urgent government intervention. He called for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, asserting that despite a strong popular mandate, the region’s elected government remains unable to operate independently due to ongoing restrictions, which hinder its constitutional responsibilities.
Ramzan also highlighted issues related to prisoners, urging the Centre to facilitate the repatriation of inmates lodged outside Jammu and Kashmir so they can access legal aid. He advocated for the release of prisoners detained for minor offences, citing the hardship caused by prolonged detention.
Addressing security concerns, Ramzan expressed caution over the aftermath of recent terror incidents, including the Delhi bomb blast. He warned against the harassment of laborers, students, and traders across the country, emphasizing that innocent citizens should not be subjected to profiling or collective suspicion while condemning acts of terror.
On the economic front, Ramzan appealed for relief measures for farmers impacted by the closure of the National Highway and natural calamities such as hailstorms and unseasonal rainfall. He proposed waiving Kisan Credit loans in affected areas and called for the suspension of interest and loan recovery efforts in the tourism sector, which has suffered significant losses following attacks in Pahalgam.
Furthermore, Ramzan urged a review of the 40 percent contribution requirement under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), arguing that poorer regions like Jammu and Kashmir are unable to meet such financial burdens, thereby undermining the scheme’s objective of employment generation.
