SRINAGAR: Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma has accused the National Conference (NC) of misusing the public mandate, alleging that a recently introduced private member’s bill seeking amendments to the Land Grants Act is designed to protect elite interests rather than safeguard public assets and the rights of ordinary citizens.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Sharma stated that those who voted for the NC now feel let down, asserting that their mandate appears to be employed not for public good but to shield the interests of the privileged. He specifically mentioned alleged beneficiaries including “Nedous, the Chief Minister’s personal property, or a circle of influential, cocktail-circuit associates.”
Sharma highlighted concerns surrounding the Chief Minister’s swift permission for the private member’s bill, titled “Amendments to the Land Grants Act.” He suggested that this move could pave the way for the re-leasing of significant government landholdings at prices far below their market value, a practice he claimed has been ongoing for decades.
Questioning the message this action sends to the general populace, Sharma expressed deep disappointment. He argued that instead of prioritizing the protection of public assets and ensuring justice for marginalized communities, the government seems to be facilitating and supporting a select few who have historically profited at the expense of the poor. He characterized the situation as a significant betrayal of public trust.
The Chenab Times News Desk