‘No tangible support provided to business community, unemployment all time high in Valley’
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Aug 13: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry Thursday termed the indefinite lockdown of business establishments in Kashmir especially Srinagar as a serious infringement on the rights of the business community to earn a livelihood.
A spokesman of KCCI said despite full cooperation extended by public and the business community, the administration appeared to be running around in circles since the previous five months and seem oblivious to the fact that the business community of Kashmir is presently in the 13th month of a disruption which has wiped out enterprises and devastated the economy.
“Despite total cases numbering 5.35 lacs with a daily average of 1,700 cases since previous two months, Mumbai has now entered it’s Unlock 3.0 phase. A population of more than 2 Crores living in an area of 603 sq km as compared to Srinagar’s population of around 17 lakhs in an area of 294 sq km. A six times higher population density of 33,168 persons per sq km as compared to 5,782 persons per sq km in Srinagar. On 3rd of August, 2020 the BMC has allowed all shops – essential and non-essential – to open all day except in containment zones,” he said.
The KCCI spokesman in Kashmir, DDMA funds have been spent on purchase of barriers despite Valley having the highest inventory of barriers including barbed wires.
“The prices of critical medical equipment including Oxygen concentrators has skyrocketed without any system of checks and balances. Butchers are hauled for selling meat at meagerly higher prices but no attention is being paid to regulate the prices of essential and critical medical equipment. Shopkeepers, pushed against the wall by the financial stress and in pursuit of bringing food to the family are being forced to operate like smugglers and reports of excessive harassment by various enforcement agencies are pouring in,” he said.
The KCCI spokesman said students stand deprived of quality education due to unavailability of required internet speed, popularly referred to as 4G, providing which the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has been opposing tooth and nail in Supreme Court of India. “What prevented the Government from providing broadband connections to the students or parents so that our children could also participate in the new normal is beyond comprehension.”
He further said Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), which was closed till May, was opened up for play in June. “This coincided with the Government’s announcement of shifting of Durbar to Srinagar. The officials ensured that it remains open since then. Even when majority of 17 lakhs people were caged behind fancy barriers and barbed wire, the RSGC was open and jam-packed.”
“The KCC&I would like to put on record that it is not against opening of a Golf Course. It shows the Governments concern for keeping their senior functionaries and powerful elite in a mentally and physically fit condition. Had their salaries and privileges been stopped since 13 months and their families very survival under threat, we doubt that they would be hitting their shots as beautifully,” he said.
The KCCI spokesman said no tangible support has been provided to business community who continue to struggle not for revival or growth but their very survival.
“Unemployment is at an all time high with the tally of job losses in the current pandemic running into lakhs. On the contrary, inconsiderate policies have pushed business community against the wall which cry for urgent corrective measures and address the simmering desperation and deep frustration,” he added.
