Bhalla hit out at Govt apathy towards border residents, visits blast-hit house of ex-Sarpanch
24/03/2026
Samba, March 24 (Scoop News)-Former Minister and Working President of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee, Raman Bhalla, on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the administration, accusing it of failing to address the pressing day-to-day issues faced by border dwellers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Accompanied by former minister Yash Pal Kundal and several senior party leaders, Bhalla undertook an extensive tour of Ghagwal, Sanoora and Rajpura areas in Samba district.
During the visit, he held detailed interactions with people from different walks of life, including farmers, traders, youth, and women, who apprised him of the hardships they continue to face.
Listening to their grievances, Bhalla expressed serious concern over what he described as the “widening gap” between government claims and ground realities. He remarked that despite tall promises and repeated assurances, the situation in rural and border areas remains largely unchanged.
“The government’s claims of development and problem resolution are confined to official files and press statements. On the ground, people are struggling for basic amenities such as proper roads, drinking water, electricity, healthcare, and employment opportunities,” Bhalla said.
He emphasized that border residents, who already live under constant stress due to proximity to the International Border, are being further neglected. “These people are the first line of defense for the nation, yet their genuine concerns are not being addressed with the urgency they deserve,” he added.
Bhalla also highlighted the economic distress being faced by the common masses. Referring to the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, he alleged that the BJP-led Central Government has failed to shield the public from its fallout.
“The continuous hike in petroleum prices has triggered inflation, making essential commodities costlier and putting an unbearable burden on poor and middle-class families,” he said.
He further criticized the functioning of the administration, stating that officials sitting in comfortable offices often paint a rosy picture of normalcy. “The reality is starkly different. People are frustrated and disillusioned due to administrative indifference and lack of accountability,” Bhalla asserted.
During his visit to Rajpura, Bhalla visited the residence of former Sarpanch Jai Ram, where a high-intensity blast had taken place recently. Expressing solidarity with the affected family, he raised serious questions over the security scenario in border areas. “The recurrence of such incidents at regular intervals is a clear indication that the situation in these belts is far from normal. It calls for immediate and effective intervention by the concerned agencies,” he said.
Bhalla demanded that the government take concrete steps to ensure the safety and security of residents, along with providing adequate compensation and support to those affected by such incidents. He also called for strengthening infrastructure, improving surveillance, and enhancing coordination among security agencies to prevent future occurrences.
Reiterating the commitment of the Congress party towards the welfare of the people, Bhalla assured the residents that their issues would be strongly taken up at appropriate forums.
Prominent among those who accompanied Bhalla during the visit included former MLA Durga Dass, Vijay Choudhary (Bawa), Jatin Vashisht, Vinay Kumar (former Sarpanch), Block President Mahesh Sharma (Raipura), Ved Raj Sharma, and several other local leaders and party workers.
Sd/- NCDC Core Committee Raises Concern Over Declining Values Among Children
Srinagar: In a recent meeting of the National Child Development Council (NCDC), members had a detailed discussion about an important issue: the need to nurture empathetic, responsible, and value-driven children.
Sudha Menon of NCDC started the meeting by presenting a resolution topic. She highlighted the urgent need to create supportive environments at home and in schools that encourage respect, integrity, compassion, and active participation in society. She asked a critical question: Do today’s children really reflect these values? She observed that children seem more self-focused, driven by academics, and socially disconnected. Often, they choose isolation over interaction, even with their own families.
She noted that modern lifestyles, with more comfort, personal space, and easy access to digital content, might contribute to this trend. She expressed worry that children are not receiving enough guidance about their role in society. Both parents and schools are responsible, yet they often fall short. Parents are busy, and schools focus too much on academic performance rather than moral growth.
Sudha suggested that schools should not only grade academics but also include activities that build empathy, respect, and communication skills. She emphasized that parents need to act as role models, showing respectful behavior and encouraging children to engage positively with others rather than fostering fear or isolation.
NCDC's Bindu Saraswathibhai supported this idea by pointing out the increase in self-centered behavior among children. She linked this partly to nuclear family structures and fewer chances for sharing and social interaction. She stressed that values must start at home and be reinforced in schools through hands-on learning, like role plays and community activities.
NCDC Core Committee Member Anandi added that while parents and teachers focus heavily on cognitive and intellectual growth, social development is often overlooked. She argued that empathy and responsibility should be nurtured daily at home. Involving children in small tasks and teaching respectful communication helps with this. She pointed out that children learn best by observing, making parental behavior vital in shaping their character.
Another member Mohammad Rizvan mentioned that today's parents might also lack guidance. He said that many grew up in changing family structures without the support of extended family systems, like grandparents. To address this, it was suggested that awareness campaigns, possibly featuring celebrities and shared on social media, could effectively reach younger generations and promote values.
Durga Pradeep briefly highlighted the importance of emotional security, urging parents and teachers to spend quality time with children and be available for their needs.
Radha Sajeev concluded by discussing the competitive nature of modern society, which she believes is undermining moral values. She noted that both adults and children increasingly focus on comparison and achievement, often sacrificing kindness and cooperation. She expressed concern that even sibling comparisons within families can negatively affect children's emotional and moral growth.