Srinagar, May 09 (GNS): National Conference on Saturday expressed anguish over the pathetic situation the poor and the underprivileged are going through owing to lockdown across the valley.
In a statement party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said, “It’s really unfortunate that a huge number of people who have been left without work for the past 50 days are finding it impossible to make two ends meet. People, both from rural as well as urban settings, are the hardest hit. Most have been left to fend for themselves in these trying times,” adding, “In times like these , the government and its agencies have to step in and help the underprivileged section to get over the crisis and live a dignified life.”
He further added, “Like other places in Kashmir, Kulgam too is facing the brunt of the 50 days lockdown with no work available for the majority. They and their families are suffering immensely as most of them are not able to get basic essentials required to run a kitchen. Only rice is not going to suffice. There are other basic items which unfortunately are not available to many living in far off villages of the district, including fuel”. He demanded basic essential kits with required edibles in adequate quantities for the needy.
Demanding a comprehensive relief package for such families, “It’s incumbent upon the government to ensure basic essentials for people who have been living from hand to mouth. They need to ensure that all these people have enough and decent basic commodities available to them. The concerned district magistrate must take a lead and make sure that people in his district are not going to bed with empty stomachs. In addition, the concerned officials must make sure that people from the district are involved in construction work and other allied works commissioned by the government agencies.”
“Besides there are many who have taken loans from the bank for their orchards. Some sort of mechanism needs to be evolved where the interest amount can be waived off and in extreme cases the entire amount. The horticulture activity has started and people are finding it difficult to get fertilizers and pesticides for their trees. Government must start mobile sale center of pesticides and allied material in all the villages on subsidized rates,” he added. (GNS)
