SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmirโs Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reached out to various political parties, including the National Conference (NC), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and others, seeking their backing on significant legislative proposals.
These include a ban on alcohol, regularization of daily wage workers, and granting ownership rights to residents living on public land in the Union Territory.
Former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti has formally appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Congress leader Ghulam Ahmad Mir, urging their support for three private member bills introduced by PDP legislators in the upcoming session of the J&K Assembly.
Taking to social media, the PDP emphasized the need for a unified stance beyond political affiliations. In a post on X, the party wrote, โ@OmarAbdullah Sahab, calling for collective efforts on critical issues impacting J&K.
PDP introduces key bills on land ownership, worker regularization, and prohibition of alcohol. Politics aside, public welfare must take precedence.โ
In her letter to Congress General Secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Mufti reiterated the partyโs stance, stating, โ@GAMIR_INC Sahab, urging joint action on crucial matters in J&K. PDP presents significant bills on land rights, worker regularization, and banning alcohol. The welfare of the people must rise above politics.โ
Similarly, in a letter to Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma of the BJP, PDP wrote, โ@Sunil_SharmaBJP Sahab, appealing for bipartisan support on key PDP legislative proposals concerning property rights, worker regularization, and banning alcohol.โ
The party also reached out to Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone, writing, โ@sajadlone, urging backing for PDPโs vital legislative measures addressing land ownership, worker regularization, and alcohol prohibition. A call for collective action beyond political differences.โ
Regarding its letter to CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami, the PDP posted, โ@tarigami Sahab, seeking support for PDPโs crucial legislative initiatives on land rights, worker regularization, and alcohol prohibition. A call for unity on public welfare beyond party lines.โ
PDP legislators have submitted three private member bills for consideration in the upcoming Assembly session, set to begin on March 3. PDP MLA from Pulwama, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, has tabled a bill titled The Jammu and Kashmir (Regularization and Recognition of Property Rights of Residents in Public Land) Bill, 2025, aimed at granting land ownership to residents living on public land.
Two other bills address key social issuesโthe Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Special Provisions for Regularization of Adhoc, Daily Wagers, Need-Based, and Other Temporary Workers) Act, 2025 seeks to regularize daily wage and temporary workers, while the Jammu and Kashmir Prohibition of Alcohol Bill, 2025 calls for a complete ban on alcohol in the region.
Earlier, PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, introduced a bill advocating for an outright ban on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and production of alcoholic beverages in Jammu and Kashmir. The PDP has expressed grave concerns over rising alcohol consumption, particularly its adverse impact on youth. The bill proposes strict penalties, including imprisonment and heavy fines, for violators.
National Conference MLA Ahsan Pardesi has also put forward a private memberโs bill seeking an alcohol ban in Kashmir and other Muslim-majority areas of the Union Territory. Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has voiced strong support for bills aimed at prohibiting alcohol.
