Budgam, Aug 18 (JKNS): President of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and former Cabinet Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has urged the Central Government to announce a monthly special support package for unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir until adequate employment opportunities are created in the region.
Addressing a public gathering at Raiyar in Khansahib, Yaseen said the growing unemployment among educated youth requires immediate and sustained government intervention.
“The Central Government should announce a monthly special package for unemployed youth of Jammu and Kashmir until adequate employment opportunities are generated. Our educated youth cannot be expected to remain without employment and livelihood for an indefinite period,” he said.
Yaseen also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to restore the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir with dignity, saying that commitments made by the Centre must be fulfilled in letter and spirit.
“Promises made on the floor of Parliament must be honoured. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are waiting for the dignified restoration of statehood and fulfilment of commitments made by the Government of India. Statehood should be restored without any further delay,” he said.
Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of “Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat and Insaniyat,” Yaseen said the spirit of these principles should be reflected in concrete policies and decisions concerning the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Now is the time to translate the spirit of that vision into action. Commitments made to the people must be fulfilled so that their wounds can heal and their faith in democratic institutions can be further strengthened,” he said.
Yaseen also demanded the immediate reopening of Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan, saying their prolonged closure has severely affected the economy of Central Kashmir and the livelihoods of people dependent on tourism.
He said formal requests have already been submitted to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for reopening both destinations and urged the administration to take an early decision.
“Doodhpathri was temporarily closed, but the closure has continued, while Tosamaidan has remained shut for more than a year. This has affected the entire population dependent on tourism in these areas,” he said.
He said horse owners, ATV operators, transporters, dhaba owners, hotel employees, small traders and others associated with tourism have been badly affected by the continued restrictions.
“These meadows and pastures are not merely tourist destinations but sources of livelihood for the people. For horse owners, ATV drivers, dhaba owners, hotel employees, transporters and small shopkeepers, Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan are important sources of income,” he said.
Yaseen said the prolonged closure has resulted in declining business activity, increased debts and fewer employment opportunities for local youth.
He maintained that reopening both destinations could provide a major boost to the economies of surrounding villages and create employment opportunities for local youth close to their homes.
“Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan can create thousands of employment opportunities on the doorstep of our villages. They can attract tourists to new areas and ensure that tourism-generated income reaches rural households,” he said.
Stressing the need to expand tourism to different areas, the PDF president said the benefits of Kashmir’s tourism economy should not remain confined to a few established tourist destinations.
“Tourism should not be restricted to a few circuits. We need to expand tourism to different areas so that every village blessed with natural beauty gets an opportunity for employment and development,” he said.
Yaseen said reopening Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan would not only revive local economic activity but also strengthen public confidence in the region’s tourism potential.
He urged the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the elected government to view the matter from both humanitarian and economic perspectives and ensure the restoration of tourism activities at the earliest.
“The administration has the capacity to turn despair into opportunity. Reopening these tourist destinations can bring tourists, employment and economic activity back to the villages of Central Kashmir,” he said.
Yaseen said the People’s Democratic Front would continue to highlight issues related to unemployment, employment, tourism and the political and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged the authorities to take concrete steps without further delay to reopen Doodhpathri and Tosamaidan and address the broader concerns of unemployed youth, saying that people need tangible action rather than mere assurances.
Speaking to the media on the occasion, Hakeem Yaseen said that if Tosamaidan and Doodhpathri are not reopened within a week or ten days, the PDF will hold a peaceful protest in Khansahib. (JKNS)
