PM made promises in Srinagar but never implemented: Chowdhary
Reiterating its call shutdown call for September 7 against government of India’s failure to release rehabilitation package for last year’s flood-affected people of the Valley, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Tuesday asked People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to withdraw from its coalition partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).KEA, an amalgam of various trade bodies, criticized Prime Minister Narindra Modi for not keeping his promises which, it said, he had made to Valley’s business community in Srinagar about rehabilitating flood-affected people.
“All sectors of the economy will observe complete shutdown on September 7. GoI has not released any substantial package to the flood-affected people of Valley. We are bound to protest and make world community know how Indian government is making us suffer, “said Chairman KEA Showkat Chowdhary while addressing a press conference here.
KEA’s shutdown call has been supported by traders, transporters, hoteliers, restaurant owners, educational institutes, contractors and other sector.
On September 7, 2014 Valley especially summer capital Srinagar got submerged in flood waters.
KEA said the business community will observe September 7 also as black day as a mark of protest against GoI.
“Now a year has passed, government of India has not released the rehabilitation package of Rs 44000 crore proposed by the State government. On September 7, 2015 we will also assemble at Ghanta Ghar, Lal Chowk to organize a rally and also observe this day as black day,” said Chowdhary.
KEA said business community has now rejected the coalition PDP and BJP “as it failed to deliver”.
“Kashmiris did not vote BJP but PDP so that Valley people are not discriminated. But after joining hand with BJP, PDP had thought of getting help from central government led by BJP. However, it is now clear that BJP doesn’t want economic prosperity of the Valley. We, therefore, reject this coalition. PDP should withdraw its from coalition government on moral grounds,” said Chowdhary.
KEA also announced to organize seminars on September 4 and September 5 about the losses various sectors including horticulture, traders, tourism, and transport sectors have suffered.
Speaking on the occasion, President Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) Muhammad Sadiq Bakal said they would observe complete shutdown to show the world that they are not happy with GoI’s plan with the Kashmir.
He said PM Narindra Modi announced Rs 1.25 lakh crore package for Bihar but ignore Kashmir where large scale devastation occurred due to floods.
KEA said GoI has taken Valley’s economic prosperity hostage by not allowing international aid for flood affected.
“If India did not have funds to rebuild Kashmir after it witnessed worst ever floods in a century it should have allowed international aid to pour in Kashmir. But it showed its hollow hegemony and let people suffer. The economy of the state has crumbled and people are not able to pay debt,” said KEA Chairman.
Chairman Houseboat Owners Association (HBOA) Mohammad Yousuf Chapri also spoke on the occasion and appealed people to observe complete shutdown on September 7.
JK Contractors Central Coordination Committee General Secretary Farooq Dar, Kashmir Minibus Federation Shieikh M Yousuf, Bashir Ahmad Matt Chairman Western Bus Service, John Mohammad Koul President Kashmir Traders Federation, President All Taxi Tourist Operators Union M Yousuf Khan, President Goods Transport Union M Sidiq Ronga, President of Private School Association Mushtaq Ahmad, were present on the occasion and supported the strike call,
On the occasion, KTMF represented by M Sidiq Bakal joined KEA.
