Roll back decision on privatisation of PSUs, mining contracts to non locals: Wani tells JK Govt

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) has expressed concern over proposed closure and privatization of Public Sector Undertakings(PSUs) and Government owned Corporations saying the privatization of PSUs was vicious after the constitutional changes of August 2019 as the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has made changes to the mining policy “which opened up the sector for non-locals”.Before that the rights were reserved for the locals exclusively.
The JKCSF Chairman Ab Qayoom Wani in a statement issued here on Saturday said that the prevailing auctions of mineral blocks in Kashmir have shown an alarming take-over of the business by a non-local syndicate while local contractors and thousands associated with the industry since decades have got deprived of their lone source of income.
Wani said that prices of construction material like sand, Bajri, boulders and other items have are touching the sky, with many cases consumers complaining of hundred percent inflation in prices.
JKCS anguished over the policy changes said that it is entirely against the wishes and the interests of the people of Kashmir and the local stakeholders were at stake.
“ Now the things are an open secret that the economic treasures of Kashmir are open to bidding and auction to non-locals , thus where is the protection of these resources , where is safeguarding of earning the livelihood of locals” Wani questioned .
“The JKCSF will keep no stone unturned legally in safeguarding the wishes, rights and feelings of natives of Jammu and Kashmir and keeping them intact whatever for the JK may acquire from time to time”, the statement issued by JK CSF Chief said.
“The land, water, rivers and all other resources belong to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and they only have a privilege to not only have the economic benefit of their own resources for their livelihood but to protect the same for their future generations is more important”, reads the statement issued by Wani .
Wani further said that JKCSF extends its full support to Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry KCCI to secure the PSUs for the local stakeholders in any and all circumstances. Wani urged the govt that the concerns of the KCCI must be seen as seriously to weigh the economic privileges and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
JKCSF Chief urged the stakeholders in the power to roll back the proposed closure and privatization of PSUs to honor the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.