Srinagar: National Conference Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani on Wednesday said J&K is reeling under the worst of economic catastrophe, development inertia, saying that the unconcerned attitude of the government gives no hope of an economic revival.
Nasir, who was addressing various delegations that called on him at party headquarters Nawa-e -Subha, said that in absence of any substantial punitive measures on part of the government there is no hope for early return of the situation to pre 5 Aug 2019.
He said that the tourism players of all hues ranging from houseboat owners to hoteliers and restaurateurs haven’t earned a penny this year. “The tourism industry in Kashmir, which used to provide jobs to lakhs of households has taken a major hit due to the successive clampdown and lockdown since august 5th last year. Hotels and guesthouses are empty and their owners are looking into the deep chasm of uncertainty about their future,” he said.
The visiting delegations which comprised youth and elderly from across Kashmir apprised the Provincial President about the scarcity of water and electricity in their respective localities.
While ruing the failure of the government to ensure basic and effective civic amenities to people, Nasir that people across Kashmir are going through immense hardships due to hours of water supply and electricity cuts. “The government had promised moon and in reality is not able to ensure 24 hour water supply to people in urban areas of Srinagar. The situation in rural areas of Kashmir can be gauged from the shortage of drinking water in the summer capital of Srinagar. The situation is no different as far electricity is concerned. People don’t w where to go to have their issues redressed. There seems to be no accountability on ground,” he said.
The Provincial President said that with no active fiscal support coming from the government, the economic slump is going to continue. “The pervasive unemployment in J&K was a direct consequence of the measures undertaken by GOI last year and that the situation is far from redemption in wake of Government apathy,” he said
He further said that the plight of daily wagers is no less and that the people who used to eke out their living by working in various organized and unorganized sectors are no less worrying.
“The local handicraft sector had already received a setback due to the implementation of GST previously. The post august 5th situation acted as a last nail in the coffin of the already ailing sector. The poor artisans were forced to leave their family vocation of handicrafts and work as labourers. These people have depleted all their savings and it is very difficult to make ends meet,” he added.
Criticizing the administration on its failure to provide round the clock facilities to devotees at all the major shrines of Kashmir on account of ongoing Milad un Nabi (SAW) observance, he said that administration has miserably failed to ensure all facilities to people at the shrines. He said the areas around the major shrines are reeling under darkness and suffering from shortage of drinking water.
