Updated: August 24, 2024 6:51 PM IST 
Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections: Former Chief Minister-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Saturday released its manifesto for next months assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, promising to make efforts to restore Articles 370 and 35A and ensure the ‘dignified’ return of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley.
The PDP manifesto also said that the party would launch diplomatic initiatives between India and Pakistan in an effort to resolve the Kashmir issue.
“The unconstitutional and illegal revocation of Articles 370 and 35A in 2019 has further complicated the Kashmir issue, deepening the alienation felt by the people of the region. The PDP is resolute in its pursuit of restoring the constitutional guarantees that were unjustly scrapped, and is committed to restoring Jammu & Kashmir to its original status, ensuring that the voices of its people are heard and their rights are safeguarded,” the PDP manifesto stated.
The PDP also promised to advocate “diplomatic initiatives between India and Pakistan, emphasising conflict resolution, confidence-building measures, and regional cooperation” and the establishment of “full connectivity across the LoC for trade and social exchange.”
The party stated that it will make efforts for the “revocation of PSA, UAPA and Enemy Act to put an end to unjust arrests of political and social activists, journalists, civil society and concerned citizens”, adding that it remains committed to “the revocation of AFSPA.”
The PDP manifesto also promised the re-establishment of J&K Human Rights Commission and said the party will ensure the “dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits.”
“The PDP is committed to the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homeland, ensuring they are welcomed back as honoured members of our community”, the party said.
On the welfare front, the PDP said it will revise the current 1 BHK scheme to the minimum allocation of 2 BHK apartments for every returning family, if voted to power.
The party also announced the ‘Everyday GUARANTEES’ scheme, under which each household would get 200 units of free electricity each month, one time settlement for pending electricity bills, and abolishing of meter system for water supply.
PDP further promised 12 LPG cylinders free of cost per year to EWS and doubling of funds under social security schemes like Old Age Pension, Widow Pension and Pension for Disabled from 1000 to 2000.
Additionally, the PDP promised to regularise 60,000 daily wagers within a year, reinstating the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for all government employees and replacing the current National Pension Scheme (NPS) under their youth and employment promises.
In infrastructure development, PDP said it will ensure “transfer of hydropower projects to Jammu and Kashmir”, and establishing a Disney Adventure Park at the Tattoo Ground in Srinagar city.
They also promised the implementation of a “25-year comprehensive master plan for every municipal area in Jammu and Kashmir” for “sustainable and planned urban growth.”
The PDP said it will restore the Waqf Board to its “former excellence with transparency, accountability, and a community-focused approach” and also promised to advocate the opening and promotion of Sharda Peeth across the Line of Control (LoC) as a full-fledged religious pilgrimage site.
Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir will be held in three phases on September 18, 25, and October 1. The counting of the votes will take place on October 4 and results will be declared on the same day.
(With ANI inputs)
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