J&K Congress Protests Price Rise, Unemployment, Paper Leaks

JAMMU : The Congress protested in Jammu on Wednesday against rising prices, unemployment and repeated paper leak incidents, accusing the government of failing to address the economic hardships faced by common people and the concerns of the youth.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) working president Raman Bhalla said inflation has emerged as one of the biggest challenges facing ordinary families. He alleged that the continuous rise in the prices of food items, cooking gas, fuel, medicines, electricity and other essential commodities has severely impacted household budgets, with economically weaker sections bearing the brunt.
Bhalla alleged that increasing fuel prices had triggered a cascading effect on transportation costs, leading to a rise in the prices of food grains, vegetables and other daily-use items.
He urged the government to take immediate measures to stabilise prices and provide relief to vulnerable sections of society.
He called for a comprehensive strategy to tackle inflation, stressing the need for job generation, greater investment in productive sectors and stronger social welfare initiatives to improve household incomes and restore economic confidence.
Former minister Yogesh Sawhney said the protest reflected the growing frustration among citizens struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Sawhney said the Congress would continue to raise public issues through protests and institutional forums until meaningful relief measures were announced.

JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma said higher prices reduced consumer demand, affected businesses and limited job opportunities for young people.
He expressed concern over rising unemployment and repeated paper-leak incidents, saying such developments had increased frustration among students and job aspirants.

Several senior Congress leaders, party workers, women, youth and residents participated in the protest. (Agencies)