Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Mar 19: Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) has asked the Government to compensate at present market rates those shopkeepers whose shops are to be demolished for road widening.
KEA chief spokesman, Siraj Ahmad, said road widening and consequent demolitions of shops to achieve the expansion plan was a necessity.
Ahmad said more than a decade back a high level committee of then Government had decided to pay a uniform compensation for the demolition of shops, irrespective of their size, location and the nature of business they used to operate.
“It is unfortunate that the authorities insist on paying the same compensation decided some 15 years back for acquiring of the shops makes absolutely no sense. It only shows how cruel authorities are towards the people of the Valley,” Ahmad said.
He said the KEA expressed its deep concern about the callous attitude of the Government and urged it to pay compensation as per the prevailing market rates and rehabilitation requirements and costs to meet the just demand of the displaced shopkeepers.
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