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| Non-local labourers still reluctant to return Kashmir | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Nov 20: As developmental works have been affected in Kashmir due to leaving of non-local labourers, the authorities have directed government officers to explore the possibilities of engaging local labourers for resumption of works.
On August 2, the government issued an advisory asking tourists and Amarnath yatris to leave the valley citing militant threats. Three days after, the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre abrogated Article 370, and bifurcated the state on August 5. Since then, the valley has been under clampdown. Most developmental works have been halted since August 5.
At the same time, non-local labourers are reluctant to return Kashmir.
"We feel unsecure in Kashmir because of situation," Gautam Singh, a resident of Rajasthan said.
For resumption of developmental works, the government has issued directives to officers that works should be started by exploring the possibilities of engaging local labourers.
"Besides the contractors from outside the state be contacted and asked to resume the work for which assurance shall be given to them that they will be provided full support boarding and lodging at the site of work with necessary measures for safe stay in case they feel threatened," one of directives read.
In Kashmir over Rs 2000 crore worth projects started in last two years are at different executions.
The government had set the target to complete almost 1800 languishing projects by end of this year.
An official of Roads and Buildings Department said semi skilled and skilled work forces in Kashmir are non-locals mostly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and few other states.
"It seems difficult to restart developmental works without the skilled non-local labourers. Construction works will be restarted only when skilled labourers are available here," the official said.
The Kashmir has a limited working season from April to October and the region's developmental activities are worst affected when there is some disturbance in the Valley. The non-completion of developmental works would result in affecting the economy here.
However, Power Development Department authorities have told the government that some of the maintenance works are being executed at several sites.
"Workshops are functioning round the clock where repairs, maintenance of transformers are being carried out normally," the PDD authorities have told the government.
Director Rural Development Department Kashmir has said that "works which were suspended have started although not at full scale in various Panchayats. |
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