Threatening to launch an agitation against cap on supply of subsidized cooking gas cylinders, the Kashmir Economic Alliance Saturday alleged that the valley was facing discrimination in the allocation of funds for developmental works in J&K.KEA, which is an umbrella group of the associations of transporters, contractors, hoteliers, houseboat owners, traders, said government was playing dilly-dally tactics while deciding on increasing the cap on subsidized LPG Cylinders.
“Congress decided to increase the cap on subsidized LPG cylinders from 6 to 9 in the states ruled by the party. Unfortunately, over two weeks have passed; the state government is yet to make any decision about increasing cap on subsidized cylinders in J&K. The party is intentionally making people here suffer,” said Chairman KEA Mohammad Yasin Khan while addressing district heads of the alliance here in Srinagar.
Khan who also heads Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation threatened to launch valley-wide agitation if government did not increase the cap of the supply of subsidized LPG cylinders.
“If state government did not increase the cap on subsidized LPG cylinders, we will launch an agitation against government. The government can’t take people hostage for its petty interests.”
KEA also urged the government to give LPG cylinders as per the Census 2011.
“Now the government has introduced tough registration process for the LPG connections. People have to wait in long queue for many days to register themselves with gas agencies. It has only encouraged corruption,” said Khan.
‘GoI hinders developmental works in Kashmir’
KEA also accused GoI and State government for interfering in the developmental affairs of J&K.
“The coalition government are involved in war with each other at the cost of development of the state especially Kashmir. The coalition government has kept people hostage due to their own vested interests and petty issues. They don’t rise above their petty issues and shun differences for the welfare of the people and business community. We are only made to suffer,” said Chairman KEA Mohammad Yasin Khan.
Accusing the Government of sidelining Kashmir for developments, Khan said congress party was against the interests of the Kashmiris.
“Kashmir should get 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the funds allocated to J&K but unfortunately both Jammu and Kargil is preferred over Kashmir for developmental works. Kashmir which bore the brunt of two decades of violence continued to remain backward. Kashmir is no match to Jammu with regard to developments,” said Khan.
Criticizing the chief minister of backing out on his promises made to the business community, KEA said government had not compensated the shopkeepers whose shops have been removed under the road-widening projects.
It also demanded subsidy assured by the government for the transporters whose vehicles have been condemned.
“The state government had assured 50 per cent subsidy to the owners of the transporters for their condemned vehicle. But none of the promises have been fulfilled,” said President Western Bus Services Gazi Abdul Majeed.
Flour mills association demand increased wheat quota
KEA also pointed out discrimination against the allocation of wheat quota to J&K.
“From 18 lakh quintals that were allocated to J&K, the quota has been decreased to 1.5 lakh quintals,” said KEA vice chairman and President Kashmir Flour Mills Association Iqbal Tramboo.
Tramboo said the reduction in the wheat quota for J&K would push up the prices of the bakery and confectionary items.
“We fail to understand why the quota of wheat has been reduced for J&K while as it has been increased for other states,” questioned Tramboo.
Contractors against privatization of R&B
The J&K Contractors Coordination Committee Contractors also accused government of discriminating against J&K while allocating funds.
It said government was trying to privatize the R&B sectors to benefit the outside firms by awarding contracts to them.
“We have reports that the government has awarded big contracts to outside firms for developmental works in Kashmir. This is a sheer injustice for the local contractors,” said Farooq Ahmad Dar who is the general secretary of the Contractors Coordination Committee.
Hoteliers seek reimbursement of interest on loan
Hoteliers also demanded reimbursement of the amount of 7 per cent interest on the soft loans as announced by GoI.
“Soft loans were given to the Valley hoteliers and GoI had promised to bear 7 per cent of the interest component. GoI gave amount of 7 per cent interest of the loan to J&K State government which was to be deposited into the accounts of the borrowers. But the state government diverted the amount to other works leaving the hoteliers to fend for themselves. The hoteliers had to pay the interest to the banks themselves,” said President Kashmir Hotels and Restaurant Owners Association Showkat Chowdary.
The district committees from Ganderbal, Shopain, Anantnag and Kupwara had gathered on the occasion to express their support to the KEA.
Chairman KEA also assured alliance members that their issues will be taken to the authorities for redressal.
Besides General Secretary KEA, Siiraj Ahmad members from the district bodies were present on the occasion.
(Rising Kashmir)
