Srinagar, July 10: Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari on Friday accused the Jammu and Kashmir government of failing to carry forward developmental works, alleging that infrastructure projects across the Union Territory had virtually come to a standstill due to official inaction and the unresolved issues faced by local contractors.
Addressing the public through a video message, Bukhari claimed that road projects and other developmental works had remained stalled despite more than half of the working season in Kashmir having already elapsed.
He alleged that local contractors were on strike but the government had made no effort to engage with them or address their grievances.
Bukhari claimed that local contractors were struggling due to the non-availability of construction material at affordable rates, alleging that mineral resources had been leased to outside contractors who were supplying material at exorbitant prices.
He also alleged that delays in payments to contractors, rising costs of construction materials, including bitumen, and policy decisions had adversely affected the execution of development projects.
Calling for immediate intervention, the Apni Party chief urged the government to prioritise development instead of attributing every issue to the demand for restoration of statehood.
He said roads, hospitals and other public infrastructure required urgent attention, asserting that tourism alone could not sustain the economy and that balanced development was essential.
Bukhari also sought a white paper from the government on the utilisation of development funds, alleging that a substantial amount of allocated funds had lapsed in the previous financial year.
Appealing to the government to resume developmental works on priority, he said people across Jammu and Kashmir were facing the consequences of poor roads, traffic congestion and incomplete infrastructure projects.(KNS)
