In a heartfelt open letter addressed to Arvind Kejriwal, the Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the people of Chenab Valley, represented by Choudhary Owais, Vice President of AAP’s Youth Wing in Jammu Province, have raised serious concerns about the neglected state of their region. The letter, penned in the wake of AAP’s successful entry into the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly through Mehraj Malik‘s victory in Doda East, seeks urgent intervention to address the region’s failing healthcare and educational infrastructure.
The Chenab Valley, encompassing the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban, is home to a rich cultural heritage. However, the letter highlights that despite this vibrant backdrop, the region suffers from long-standing political and administrative neglect. The plea outlines several critical issues, most notably the deteriorating healthcare system and an under-resourced education sector.
The letter paints a bleak picture of healthcare facilities in the valley, where sub-district hospitals are reportedly ill-equipped and understaffed. The absence of essential medical equipment, such as ventilators, and the lack of specialist doctors, including gynecologists, have resulted in avoidable deaths, particularly among newborns. According to the letter—a copy of which lies with The Chenab Times—many residents must travel to district hospitals or even Jammu for basic medical care, turning a matter of healthcare into one of life and death.
Similarly, the educational sector is described as being in a dire state. Government schools, primarily attended by children from economically weaker sections, are understaffed and lack accountability, while private institutions focus more on profit than education. This imbalance, the letter claims, is further deepening the divide between the privileged and the poor, perpetuating a cycle of poverty in the region.
The signatories of the letter expressed hope that Kejriwal’s leadership, which has been lauded for its transformative impact on Delhi’s public services, could bring much-needed change to Chenab Valley. “We need your leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to uplift our healthcare and educational systems,” the letter states, calling on Kejriwal to restore dignity to the region’s hospitals and schools.
For years, there has been a persistent demand for the Chenab Valley to be granted separate divisional status, rooted in the region’s longstanding developmental and political neglect. Despite being rich in cultural heritage and natural resources, the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban have suffered from inadequate infrastructure, substandard healthcare, and an underfunded education system. Local leaders and residents argue that the lack of focused governance and administrative attention has stunted the region’s growth, exacerbating poverty and inequality. The call for divisional status is seen as a necessary step to ensure dedicated resources, political representation, and tailored development initiatives that address the unique challenges of the valley.
The open letter was submitted shortly after a massive rally in Doda, where Kejriwal, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP MP Sanjay Singh, addressed a large gathering to celebrate Mehraj Malik’s victory. Malik, formerly a District Development Council member, is seen as a rising star within AAP, and his win marks a significant moment for the party in Jammu & Kashmir.
In conclusion, the letter urges Kejriwal to act swiftly in addressing these issues and to leave an enduring legacy of change in Chenab Valley. The people of the valley, it emphasizes, are placing their hopes on his shoulders to ensure that the region’s residents receive the medical care and education they deserve.
The Chenab Times News Desk