As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Srinagar on Saturday, the Kashmir business community is “little excited” as according to them the PM has “failed to keep his promise with the flood victims in the Valley.”
Talking to us, President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani said they had little hope about any rehabilitation package to be announced by the PM “as Kashmiris are now fed up with such promises.”
“Our message is clear to the Government. In the first instance the flood victims should be rehabilitated,” Wani emphasized saying that PM visit “is welcome, but it should give some tangible benefit to the local stakeholders.”
“Till now we have not got any confirmation from the Government about any rehabilitation package to be announced by the PM here,” Wani said.
Chairman, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Muhammad Yaseen Khan termed PM’s visit as a mere “political gimmick”.
“Modi is losing political ground across the state. Bihar (election) results are also cause of concern for him. So in order to gain some political mileage he is organizing a political rally as his party is also part of the government in JK.”
“We don’t see any rehabilitation package coming,” Khan said, adding that PM’s visit is turning out to be a “nightmare for people of Kashmir as crackdowns and restrictions have not only curtailed public movement but have also badly affected business.”
He said the business community has not got any invitation from the state government to meet PM. “It also shows his visit is mere an exercise to rebuild his image as a secular leader which he is not.”
President, Federation Chambers of Industries Kashmir, Muhammad Ashraf Mir stated that the PM’s visit is ‘too late’ and now it is to be seen whether he delivers on the promises of rehabilitation.
“Last year during Diwali, Modi assured Kashmir Inc of rehabilitating flood affected people and traders, but almost 14 months have passed there is no word on rehabilitation package submitted by the previous state government,” he said.
Chairman, KEA, Showkat Chowdhary said the state government should not let this visit to the state by the Prime Minister “go in vain.”
“The state government should proactively project Kashmir’s case before the PM for a massive economic package to take advantage of this visit,” he said.
KEA chairman said the Prime Minister’s previous visit to Kashmir was a “disappointment for Kashmiris” as no economic package was announced for this place.
“Now that it is being said that some massive economic package will be announced by the Prime Minister during his upcoming visit to Kashmir, we hope his (PM’s) announcement would not disappoint Kashmiris.”
