Jammu and Kashmir polls: Congress releases manifesto, promises reforms

JAMMU: Promising equitable development of the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir, Congress today released its manifesto here which proposed two empowered regional councils, decentralisation, more cross-LoC CBMs and review of cases of detainees not involved in grave offences.

The party also said it would give top priority to the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction process in the flood-affected areas of the state which goes to polls in the first phase of the five-stage Assembly elections on November 25.

Congress, the first major party which released its manifesto for the Assembly polls, said all the promises are achievable given the party gets the chance to form the next government in the state.

While releasing the party manifesto, senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Saifuddin Soz said the Congress will constitute two fully empowered regional councils, one for Jammu and another for Kashmir.

"If elected to serve, the party will constitute two fully empowered regional councils, one for Jammu and another for Kashmir. Also separate development councils operating under the umbrella of regional councils, one for Chenab Valley and another for Peer Panchal Valley will be set up," they said.

Azad said that Congress believes in giving equal opportunity to all the three regions of the state, Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.

"Our party believes in equitable development of all the three regions of the state. A development path that is reflective of the inter-regional diversity of the state as well as the Congress party's vision of the inclusive and equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions of the state," Azad said.

The Congress manifesto promises to take confidence building measures (CBMs) that will not only promote cross-LoC passenger travel and trade and people-to-people contact, but would also strengthen understanding among the people at all levels.

"The Congress believes that all social, political issues can be sorted out by means of dialogue," JKPCC president Soz said.