Aqzar Raheel 

Ganderbal, Nov15(KNZ/ TMJ): Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajjad Gani Lone on Sunday accused the government of neglecting Ganderbal, alleging a lack of attention to local issues and warning that outsourcing could lead to a major employment-related scam.

The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference held its first workers’ meeting in Ganderbal at Marriage Hall, Duderhama, on the invitation of District President Hilal Ahmad Tantray. The meeting witnessed the participation of party workers and supporters from across the district.

During the meeting, party workers highlighted several public issues, particularly the ongoing mining ban and the rehabilitation of shopkeepers affected by the Ring Road project.

Speaking to reporters separately after the meeting, Lone said the party was seeking to strengthen its public outreach through direct interaction with people across Kashmir. He said the Ganderbal visit was part of the initiative and that efforts would be made to extend the programme to other parts of the Valley.

Questioning the government’s response to local concerns, Lone alleged that the administration lacked a connection with ground realities and said there was little difference between the present government and the Lieutenant Governor’s administration in this regard.

He also expressed concern over mining activities, alleging that the expansion of mining as an industry had gained momentum after 2019.

On employment, Lone alleged that nearly 25,000 government positions had effectively been shifted to the outsourced private sector. He said he had raised the issue in the Legislative Assembly and warned that outsourcing could emerge as a major scam in the coming years.

“Remember my words, the biggest scam in the coming time will be the outsourcing issue,” he said.

Lone said the Peoples Conference would continue to raise public concerns and expand its outreach across the Valley.(KNZ/TMJ)