Srinagar, Feb 5 (JKNS): Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday highlighted urgent issues facing Srinagar, particularly the Shehri Khas area, including unemployment, lack of skill development, sale of alcohol, and civic challenges, and urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to allocate a separate budget for the city.
Addressing a press conference, Mehbooba Mufti, as per news agency JKNS, said Srinagar has a highly educated population, with a large pool of qualified youth, but employment opportunities—especially in government services—remain severely limited.
“Srinagar has vast potential in agriculture, horticulture, and allied sectors, yet unemployment among youth continues to rise sharply, with the poor being the hardest hit,” she said.
She urged the Chief Minister to launch short-term employment-oriented courses of six to eight months exclusively for Srinagar’s youth and called for setting up Skill Development and Connect Centres through colleges to enhance job readiness.
Highlighting the importance of education, Mehbooba said the city should aim for 100 percent literacy by ensuring meaningful employment for educated youth. “Aligning education with job opportunities can significantly reduce unemployment,” she added.
On the issue of alcohol sale, Mehbooba stressed that the majority of Kashmiris oppose liquor outlets. “Alcohol is a serious social concern. Tourists also visit dry states like Gujarat and Bihar. There is no justification for promoting liquor sales here,” she said, calling for prompt government intervention.
She also flagged rising mental health challenges, noting that unemployment and social pressures are pushing many into depression. “Even economically secure individuals are struggling mentally. This is a serious warning,” she said.
Mehbooba further raised concerns about harassment and violence against Muslims and minorities outside Jammu and Kashmir, urging Members of Parliament to visit affected areas and take up the matter with the respective state governments.
On civic issues, she pointed out severe waste management problems, foul smell, pollution, and poor infrastructure in Srinagar, particularly during the rainy season. She also criticized what she termed “lopsided reservation policies” that are adversely affecting deserving students.
Calling for the revival of campus politics, Mehbooba said student leadership is critical to nurturing democratic values. “The ban on campus politics in Kashmir has weakened political leadership among the youth,” she said.
She urged the Government of India and Jammu and Kashmir administration to prioritize Srinagar and Shehri Khas, stressing that issues related to employment, sanitation, education, tourism, and local industries like dairy and fruit cultivation require immediate attention. (JKNS)
