Jammu, 19 June (H.S.): JKPCC president, Tariq Hamid Karra and other senior party functionaries addressed a large protest rally against the rising prices of essential commodities, LPG, petrol, diesel, and other daily-use items at Ramgarh in Samba district today.

During the rally Karra criticized the BJP-led government over inflation and highlighted the hardships being faced by common people, farmers, labourers, traders, and middle-class families due to the continuous increase in the cost of day to day living.

The protest rally was organized by Yash Paul Kundal (Former Minister) and was attended by PCC working president Raman Bhalla, and former Member Parliament Ch Lal Singh, who demanded immediate measures to control inflation and provide relief to the public.

JKPCC chief while addressing the rally said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to be deprived of their democratic and constitutional rights. He further said that congress will continue to fight for the restoration of state hood by greater public participation. He alleged that the BJP led Centre Govt. has failed to honour its repeated assurances regarding the restoration of statehood and is unnecessarily delaying the process.

Karra strongly criticized the Govt over repeated paper leak incidents and rising unemployment, stating that future of the youth is being compromised due to administrative failures. He said that thousands of deserving candidates are being deprived of fair opportunities, while joblessness continues to increase.

He demanded strict action against those responsible for irregularities and urged the Govt. to create transparent recruitment mechanism and adequate employment opportunities for the youth

Addressing the gathering, working president Raman Bhalla strongly criticized the Central Government for its failure to control inflation and provide relief to the common masses. He said that the prices of essential commodities, cooking gas, petrol, diesel and other daily-use items have reached unbearable levels, badly affecting middle-class families, labourers, shopkeepers, youth and economically weaker sections.

Ch Lal Singh said that the BJP Government has completely failed on the economic front and is trying to divert public attention from real issues. He alleged that the burden of rising prices is crushing the poor and salaried classes while big corporate houses are being favoured. He said that Congress Party will continue to raise the voice of the common people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar