Srinagar, July 15 -- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday expressed grave concern over mounting allegations of bias in the release of material cost payments under the MGNREGA scheme, stating that such practices are pushing Jammu and Kashmir's rural economy into deeper uncertainty and leaving an already distressed rural population in dire straits.

In a statement issued here, PDP leader Ajaz Ahmad Mir said that despite official claims of streamlining rural employment schemes in Jammu and Kashmir, the ground reality tells a different story. "Bills of contractors have been pending for months, gathering dust, and no new work is being initiated as contractors have lost interest. This is a serious issue and should merit immediate atten...