Sofi Ahsan
Srinagar: Accusing Centre for implementing a policy of revenge against Kashmiris, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said that New Delhi has failed to help the flood-affected people in Valley.
“New Delhi made tall promises of rehabilitating flood victims of Valley. They promised to give relief package to each flood affected families, but on ground nothing is visibly. They are just befooling people, “Mirwaiz said.
Criticizing the Centre for its decision to reduce the Kerosene quota to J&K by 33 percent, Mirwaiz said, “If New Delhi cannot provide us with basic amenities, let it open the Muzzafarabad road so we can appeal the Pakistan government to send us gas and kerosene.”
“It is the height of revenge that now even the means of cooking and heating are being snatched from the people in Kashmir. It is unfortunate the decision was taken during this harshest period of winter while we are recovering from the worst damages caused by floods,” he said while addressing the Friday congregation at city’s central Jamia Masjid.
Pertinently, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has cut the kerosene quota to the state by 33 percent. According to the new allocation a ration cardholder will only get an average three liters of kerosene per month. The decision to reduce the fuel share has also received flak from the kerosene retailers in Kashmir who staged protest against the decision on Thursday.
While talking about governance matters Mirwaiz said the Valley has been facing issues like electricity, roads and water since decades and successive governments have failed to even fulfill the basic needs of people.
The Hurriyat Chairman also hit out at the Power Development Department (PDD) for its failure to provide the people with proper power supply. “PDD is asking public to minimize the use of electricity because there is power shortage. What is a Kashmiri supposed to do in the absence of electricity, gas and kerosene,” he asked.