The strike call was given by KEA after holding a meeting today in which representatives of its constituent associations participated.
‘Central, state governments paid only lip service to flood-affected people’
Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) called for complete Kashmir Bandh on September 7 to protest “government’s failure to provide financial assistance to the flood-hit people.”
The strike call was given by KEA after holding a meeting today in which representatives of its constituent associations participated.
The representatives of transporters, traders and shopkeepers unanimously decided to observe complete shutdown on September 7 which marks the completion of one year since floods hit Kashmir last September.
“We have decided to observe complete strike on September 7. A year has passed since floods struck Kashmir Valley but government has so far failed to release any money for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims,” Chairman KEA Showkat Chowdhary said.
Chowdhary said the KEA will organize seminars and rallies in the first week of September “as a mark of solidarity with those who suffered in the floods as also to press for rehabilitation of the people and business community.”
The representatives who participated in the meeting included Farooq Ahmad Dar of contractors coordination committee, M Sidiq Ronga of Goods Transport Association, M Yousuf Chairman Minibus association, M Y Chapri of Houseboat Owners Association, G N War President Private School Coordination Committee, Bashir Ahmad Matta Chairman Western Bus Services Union, John Mohamamd Koul Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, Abdul Majeed and Khurshid zargar of Electronic Goods Association, Shah Jahan of Food Processing Association, G N Pandow of Sumo and Taxi Association, Kashmir Motor Drivers Association and Harmain Transport representatives.
During the meeting, G N War was also elected as KEA’s Chief Publicity Secretary.
Pertinently, the previous state government had submitted a Rs 44,000 crore proposal to the central government for rehabilitation of the flood-hit people in the state so far now no package has been announced. “This has angered people especially business community in Valley who were worst hit during floods,” Chowdhary said.
He said the GoI and the state government have only paid lip service to flood-affected people and not released any rehabilitation package.
“It is our right to demand rehabilitation package. PM has announced Rs 1.25-lakh-crore package for growth and development of Bihar. Rs 44000 crore is a small amount as compared to that package. This clearly shows that the central government is ignoring Kashmir.”
