Imposition of property tax amid economic slowdown a grave injustice with people of JK: NC

Srinagar: National Conference General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar on Saturday voice his serious concerns over the imposition of property tax in J&K. Addressing a meeting of the constituency in charges and office bearers of the party district Srinagar wing Sagar slammed the government for announcing imposition of property tax. Responding to the party General Secretary’s remarks the leaders present at the meeting said that amidst depressing economic activity and soaring unemployment, the GOI has amended two municipal laws of Jammu & Kashmit and given power to the local administration to levy and collect property tax. Far from doling out fiscal help and other supportive measures, the government, the leaders said, wants to suck the life and blood of people. The leaders said the measure will push the people to the wall.
Terming the move as grave injustice, the leaders said the imposition of the property tax, at a time when the economy is reeling under slowdown, will overburden people, who are struggling to make ends meet. During the course of the meeting the participants discussed reorganization of YNC, current situation and issues concerning the people. The participants expressed dismay over the ever increasing slum growth, unplanned and haphazard growth, infrastructure deficit, management in government run health institutions and schools, and increasing unemployment rate.
The leaders said that the Srinagar city continues to receive step motherly treatment by the incumbent administration. “Despite being the administrative nerve center of Kashmir, Srinagar is being discriminated on all fronts. Post the unilateral abrogation of Articles 370, 35-A and the subsequent Covid 19 lockdown, many businesses have crumbled, people have lost their jobs. Handicraft, tourism sectors suffered irreparable damages. Upset, sad, helpless and crumbled, people of Srinagar are to run their households in wake of rocket soaring prices of edibles and other household merchandise. Many used to eke out their humble living by working in handicrafts and tourism sectors; unfortunately these sectors have incurred major reverses due to the subsequent clamp down, and lock down,” they said.
The imprudent policies of the all the successive government since 2015, the leaders asserted have added to the plight of lakhs of artisans, forcing them to turn away from their family vocations and switch to other menial jobs. The leaders said the choking of private businesses due to the ongoing crises has plunged people into poverty. With few opportunities in the private sector, the public sector remains the only avenue of employment in Kashmir; but the government has failed to speed up the recruitment process. The leaders said the promised new dawn is nowhere perceptible on ground.
The leaders rued the widespread urban chaos in the Shahar-e-Khas and city suburbs on account of government failure to step up the facilities and upgrade the urban infrastructure for the ever increasing demands of the increasing population of Srinagar district.
The leaders also rued the unavailability of drugs, and required infrastructure in various primary and tertiary care health institutions in Srinagar, saying that the sector has not received any attention since 2015. The work of all major sewage treatment plants, drainage projects and up gradation, the leaders said has been put into limbo. The inaction and lack of concern of various departments has compounded the woes of the people of Srinagar.