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| Kashmir Economic Alliance issues warning to Government over 'worst' power crisis | | Asks people at helm to perform or be ready to face music | | Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Dec 28: Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) today threatened of an agitation if the State Government fails to pull up their socks and improve the power scenario in Kashmir valley. The Alliance said that it is pity that despite paying heavy electricity bills people of Kashmir continue to suffer on account of power.
In a statement, KEA chief spokesperson, Siraj Ahmad said that as soon as winter arrives on the scene people of Kashmir are left to shiver in cold due to distressing and erratic power cuts. Siraj ridiculed the State Government for its claims that power supply is not that bad as being projected by some sections of society.
"The State Government is totally indifferent towards the genuine concerns of people with regard to electricity. Electricity is the basic requirement of life but still then the people at helm are apathetic and they show no concern so as to improve their performance on this count. This is highly deplorable and needs to be condemned in strongest possible words," said Siraj.
The KEA chief spokesperson said that consumers in Kashmir valley have paid Rs. 150 crores as electricity dues for the current financial year, so far. He said from 2008-2009 to October 2013, electricity revenue from Kashmir has been Rs. 861 crores. He added that despite this Kashmir faces prolonged and harsh power cuts during the winter when electricity is needed the most.
"The expenditure on alternate energy and lighting is becoming extremely high, in most cases unbearable, rendering poor class poorer and middle/lower middle class vulnerable to poverty. No economic analysis has ever been done by the Babus of the land on this issue. Performance of our students also suffers on this account. Again no agency has cared to make an impact analysis on these issues," said Siraj.
The KEA chief spokesperson took a dig at the NGOs who according to him file Public Interest Litigations at the behest of vested interests to ensure trade, commerce and tourism of the Kashmir valley suffer so much that their eventual revival is impossible. He alleged that Kashmir has been singled out as far as construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for hotels is concerned.
"While KEA is concerned over the environmental degradation in the Valley, it feels that the political bosses and bureaucracy are the main culprits and they are least affected once the axe falls. PILs hardly ever mention role of these people. People who get caught and made responsible for any ill doings, are the second string and lower order officers/officials with the result that violations and illegal actions in this regard never end," said Siraj.
The KEA chief spokesperson said that Alliance would welcome directions from the High Court in this regard. He said cause of violations and role of officials is an important factor to understand if future irregularities are to be stopped. |
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