Srinagar Activists Rally Against Government Policies

Srinagar Activists Rally Against Government Policies

Asif Iqbal | November 26, 2023 | 10:55 PM IST | Srinagar | Follow on Google News

Srinagar Activists Rally Against Government Policies

Srinagar Activists Rally Against Government Policies

In Srinagar, a large gathering of activists from CITU (Centre of Indian Trade Unions) and the Jammu Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation convened at Press Enclave to stage protest demonstrations against what they perceive as the government’s anti-people, anti-worker, and anti-farmer policies.

The discontent of the protesters was palpable as they voiced their concerns through slogans targeting the government.During the protest, CITU President Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami raised serious concerns about the challenges faced by the common people, particularly the severe power crisis in Kashmir. Currently experiencing its most severe power shortage in the last two decades, the region is grappling with long and unscheduled power cuts.

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Tarigami pointed out that the situation is further exacerbated by the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), placing Jammu and Kashmir at a disadvantage and resulting in significant annual financial losses. He urged the central government to provide compensation for these losses.Tarigami emphasized the necessity of increasing royalty rates from the current 12 per cent to 40 per cent in all Centre Sector Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in the region, considering it a legitimate demand to address the power situation.

He also called for the implementation of recommendations by the Rangarajan Committee to transfer two hydroelectric power projects based in Jammu and Kashmir to the state.Addressing the issues faced by apple farmers, Kisan leader Ghulam Nabi Malik highlighted the distress faced by farmers despite apples being a livelihood for thousands of households in Kashmir.

The major concerns include the denial of remunerative prices and the supply of spurious pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers, which harm the produce and orchards.Another Kisan leader, Mohamad Afzal Parry, demanded a 100 percent import duty on foreign apples, subsidized rates for fertilizers and pesticides for apple farmers, and the establishment of cold storage facilities in apple-producing districts. He stressed the importance of implementing a crop insurance scheme at the ground level under government supervision.

Zahoor Ahmad Rather, another Kisan leader, shed light on the hardships faced by transporters in the region. He called for preferences to be given to local transporters for starting cab services and the rollback of taxes on local transporters.Trade union leader Abdul Rashid Pandit expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of concrete actions following the constitution of several committees for the regularization of daily wagers, casual laborers, and other workers.

Pandit also criticized the treatment of registered construction unions, essential stakeholders facing isolation and harassment.The recent administration order restricting employees from protesting or raising issues was strongly condemned as a colonial law requiring immediate withdrawal. Other speakers at the event included Mohamad Yaqub Ganie, Ghulam Mohamad Shah, Abdul Rashid Itoo, Kisan leaders Mohamad Younus Dar, Chairman Kashmir Tourist Taxi Transporters Welfare Federation, and Mohamad Abass, a youth leader.

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Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.