Srinagar: Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Er. Gulam Ali Khatana has expressed deep concern over the unchecked escalation of prices for essential construction materials in Jammu and Kashmir.
The MP highlighted a growing problem that threatens to undermine affordable housing initiatives and burden the average consumer. Khatana specifically pointed out the exorbitant prices of sand and crushed stone, claiming that a “mafia” is charging up to four times the government-fixed rates for these materials. This price gouging, he argues, is causing significant distress among the general public and particularly affecting beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a flagship housing scheme of the central government.
The MP emphasized the stark reality faced by PMAY beneficiaries, stating that it has become increasingly difficult for them to purchase construction materials within the financial assistance provided by the government. He noted that media reports are replete with instances of overcharging, indicating a widespread and systemic problem.
Khatana called upon the Mining Department and all Deputy Commissioners in the Union Territory to take immediate action to curb these practices. He stressed the importance of enforcing government-fixed rates and preventing exploitation by unscrupulous elements in the construction material supply chain.
Highlighting the significance of affordable housing in the national agenda, the MP referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s commitment to ensuring housing for all. He mentioned that on the first day of his third term, PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji signed first file related to PMAY beneficiaries, underscoring the scheme’s priority and PM care for the citizen of our country. Khatana argued that it is now the administration’s responsibility to ensure these services reach the masses without hindrance, and that unchecked overcharging for building materials is hampering the PMAY scheme’s effectiveness. The MP’s statement serves as a call to action for local authorities, particularly the Mining Department and Deputy Commissioners, to step up their efforts in preventing overcharging. He questioned why the public should face such problems when authorities have already fixed the rates for these materials.
In addition to addressing the construction material crisis, Khatana also touched upon the need to promote local wool production. He urged the UT administration to support families engaged in sheep farming, enabling them to get better returns for their hard work. The MP highlighted a specific challenge in the current policy framework, where land ownership is a prerequisite for availing benefits in the sheep farming sector. He argued that this requirement is counterintuitive, as those who own land are less likely to engage in sheep or goat rearing. Khatana called for a revision of the policy to make it more accessible to those traditionally involved in sheep farming. He emphasized the need to ease regulations so that people affiliated with this sector can easily avail themselves of government benefits.
The MP’s addresses critical issues affecting both urban and rural populations in Jammu and Kashmir. By bringing attention to the inflated prices of construction materials and the challenges faced by the sheep farming community, Khatana has highlighted areas where immediate administrative intervention could significantly improve the lives of ordinary citizens and support key government initiatives.
