Bhat Sahil
Kulgam, May 17: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice President and former Devsar MLA, Mohammad Sartaj Madni, said on Sunday that the ruling Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (NC) has the legislative strength to impose a ban on alcohol in Jammu and Kashmir if it genuinely wishes to do so.
While addressing a workers’ convention in the Gufbal area of Qaimooh, Kulgam, Madni stated that the National Conference government commands a sufficient majority in the Assembly to pass a liquor prohibition law without any difficulty.
“They have around 50 legislators in the Assembly. If they truly intend to prohibit alcohol, they can pass the legislation within minutes. The issue is simply that they are unwilling to take that step,” he said.
The PDP leader also expressed deep concern over the rising drug abuse crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. Criticizing the administration’s policy of demolishing properties linked to alleged drug peddlers, Madni argued that such measures alone would not solve the problem.
Instead, he emphasized that authorities should focus on rehabilitation and protecting young people from falling into addiction, rather than relying solely on punitive actions. He warned that the growing drug menace is severely impacting the youth of Kashmir.
Commenting on the current political landscape in the Union Territory, Madni noted that the public is closely evaluating the performance of the NC-led administration and comparing its campaign promises with its actual deliverables. He claimed that several major election commitments, including employment opportunities and welfare measures like free electricity and gas, remain unfulfilled.
“The people themselves are judging whether the promises made during the elections have actually been implemented,” he told the gathering in Qaimooh.
