Former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla on Tuesday criticized current economic policies of the Central Government which led to high inflation rate and low GDP in the country.He said that BJP made a lot of promises to the people of country but none of them was fulfilled. Now, they are acting as a mute spectator to their sufferings. During 2014 and 2019 polls, BJP made tall claims of creating jobs for the youth, however, the unemployment rate is increasing in the country”.He blamed BJP for the falling growth rate of the country. He said BJP also needs to be blamed for the GDP situation in the country.Bhalla alleged that the Centre was not taking any “effective steps” to improve the economic situation of the country. He was addressing party workers of Gandhi Nagar constituency.
He said that sections of society are facing difficulties and Centre should take effective measures to improve the current situation.He said when the BJP was campaigning before the elections, they had promised to curb inflation and cut down the cost of basic amenities. But coming to power, the BJP Government has started increasing the price of everything to protect interest of big business houses.He further said that people had enough dose of mis-governance in the JK for last six years, saying people have realized that they have to support Congress which can address their issues and fulfill their expectations. He said the people of Jammu displayed faith in BJP while giving them huge mandate from Jammu region with the hope that their grievances will be taken note of and discrimination with Jammu will end, however, BJP after forming Govt sidelined issues related to Jammu.About 35 lakh jobs have been lost in the construction sector. The big IT companies are about to end about 40 lakh jobs,” he claimed.
Prices of vegetables and food items are getting out of reach of common people. Will the poor eat when vegetables, oil, pulses and flour become expensive? The poor are not getting work because of the recession from above. The :BJP government has cut its pockets and kicked it on the stomach.’ Job creation remains the single biggest failure of this BJP Government. In a slowdown, how will jobs be created? And how will the promised 2 crore jobs per year be created?”It is a matter of concern again that 33 per cent jobs have been officially stated to be lost in the informal sector which employs 90 per cent of India’s work force. Over 3.72 crore jobs have been destroyed by this government whereas only few lakh jobs have been created,” he added.
Bhalla highlighted issues of chemists and druggists in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir who have been struggling to renew their licenses as Pharmacy Council has ceased to exist from October 31, 2019 when Jammu and Kashmir Pharmacy Act was repealed as per the provisions of the Reorganization Act, 2019.In the absence of any Pharmacy Council or alternate body, chemists and druggists (both retailers and wholesalers) of Jammu and Kashmir whose licenses have expired since October 31, are running from pillar to post to get their licenses renewed but they are being told by the authorities to wait till constitution of new Pharmacy Council as per the Central Act.More than 25000 chemists and druggists in J&K and licenses of hundreds of them have expired in last two months and many licenses are going to expire soon but none of the licenses could be renewed in the absence of new body.
Bhalla demanded Govt to take a decision and provide relief to chemists and druggists of the Jammu and Kashmir”, adding since administration was aware of the fact that J&K Pharmacy Council would cease to exist from October 31, some alternate arrangement should have been made for smooth functioning of hundreds of establishments dealing with pharmaceuticals”. He further said that there are thousands of people who are associated with the sale (retail or wholesale) of drugs, but many of them, who had secured licenses on the basis of matriculation/graduation plus work experience, are worried about their future as the Central Law, which is applicable now, prescribes minimum qualification of Diploma in Pharmacy for the grant of drug license.