Srinagar, Sept 16: Senior J&K BJP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma on Wednesday accused the National Conference-led government of using the Statehood issue as a pretext to evade responsibility for governance failures.

Talking to reporters in Baramulla, Sharma said the government had responsibilities to fulfil and the available powers and resources are not being utilised effectively.
He said Omar government was attempting to divert attention from what he termed its poor performance.
“It is an eyewash. People are demanding electricity, but no serious review meetings are being held. There is a shortage of clean drinking water and rampant corruption. The government has failed to address basic issues affecting the people,” Sharma said.
He alleged that the present administration had delivered “zero performance and zero governance”, while claiming that public grievances remained inadequately addressed.
He said BJP remained committed to restoration of statehood, adding that any decision on the matter would be taken in view of the prevailing security situation.
The LoP alleged that the youth are particularly distressed over employment issues and accused the government of filling jobs through outsourcing.
He said the opposition would continue to raise issues concerning the public, including the demands of NHM employees, daily wagers and Anganwadi workers.
The LoP also alleged that funds provided by the Centre are not being utilised effectively on the ground. He also linked this to the delay in holding Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body elections.
The LoP Sharma criticised the government over electricity charges, alleging that increased power tariffs had added to the burden on people.
He said the opposition would continue to highlight the genuine public issues and hold the government accountable on the floor of the House and other democratic platforms.
Sharma said that the BJP legislative group has decided to visit district headquarters across Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the upcoming Assembly session to directly listen to the concerns and grievances of the people.
“A large number of people have come from different parts of North Kashmir with their issues. Our legislative group has decided that before the Assembly session, we will visit every district headquarters, listen to the problems of the people and ensure that their genuine concerns are raised in the appropriate forum,” he said.
He said the outreach programme in Baramulla provided an opportunity to hear people from different sections of society and understand issues affecting their day-to-day lives.
“We have come here to listen to the problems of the people and raise them in the concerned quarters. Our responsibility as the opposition is to ensure that the voice of the common man reaches the government and the Assembly,” he said.