Traders in Kashmir dismayed over centre’s latest announcement for flood relief assistance
Taking a dig at the ruling party PDP, the business community and civil society on Wednesday termed the recent flood rehabilitation package of Rs 1,667 crores from the central government as a further ‘humiliation’ to the flood-affected people of the valley.
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Members of Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS), House Boat Association (HBA) and other members of business community and civil society members while speaking to reporters here said that the latest relief package has shocked the business community as a whole.
President KCCI Sheikh Ashiq stated that the package is ‘too less’ compared to the package given to Uttarakhand. The group of representatives from several business organizations demanded that the ruling party, which had rehabitilation of the flood victims in the valley last year, should be held accountable for not keeping their word. “PDP and all the MLAs should resign from the coalition government. New Delhi has cracked a cruel joke against people of Kashmir,” Ashiq pointed out.
The central government on Tuesday announced an additional package of Rs 1,667 crores for the state of Jammu and Kashmir after the earlier reimbursement of approximately 2,600 crore for rebuilding and rehabilitation, against the government’s recommendation of Rs 4,400 crores.
“The package is not even sufficient to compensate the damage incurred to housing sector. It is as good as peanuts,” Chairman Kashmir Economic Alliance Mohammad Yasin Khan said.
Hitting the state, senior civil society member Shakeel Qalander highlighted the ‘exploitation’ caused to state treasury by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and demanded the state owned corps ouster. “The state should give us the money NHPC makes and the millions they make out of our resources will compensate all our losses,” the economic expert confided.
The group also said that the business community will launch a stir if required against the ‘callous approach’ of central government towards the flood-hit people.
