Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 26: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference today sought mitigation of the impact of lost wages of unorganized poor labour force in J&K due to the prevailing situation besides requesting Government of India and State administration to ensure that stranded students, businessmen, labourers in Bangladesh and in other parts of the country are properly taken care of which includes providing safe shelter and food.
Party’s Member of Parliament from Anantnag (Retd) Justice, Hasnain Masoodi today sought an effective Central Government intervention in helping the stranded students in Bangladesh and other parts of country. “The concerned authorities must come to the rescue of such students and provide them with every possible help including food, accommodation and safe repatriation to Kashmir,” he said.
While expressing concern over the poorest of the poor and the daily wagers who are hit hard due to the prevailing situation, he said, ” The earning of the daily wagers, mostly unorganized labors, hawkers and marginal traders is already uncertain as far as J&K is concerned. Previous lockdowns, curfews and communication blockage also had a crushing blow on the people who live by hand to mouth. It goes without saying how adverse an impact the present lockdown will have on the unorganized labour force. Economy of J&K is already on the brink of eminent collapse in wake of decline in tourism, less horticulture produce, and little to no construction work since August 5, 2019. It has not been too long, since some economic activity started picking up only to die down again due to COVID-19 threat.”
Masoodi said the marginalized traders, unorganized workforce are the most ill-fated lot in J&K. “The unorganized sector, a sizeable chunk of our society do not see any light at the end of tunnel. Owing to the diminutive business prospects in J&K, most of the people had started to venture out to other parts of the country to earn decent livelihood for their families. However, their businesses are again going up in flames due to global outbreak of COVID-19. The Government, unfortunately, seems to have shut its eyes towards them allowing them to suffer,” he said.
He sought a comprehensive economic package from the Government to mitigate the hardship resulting from COVID-19 to the most vulnerable people and establishment across J&K.
Party MP from Baramulla, Mohd Akbar Lone sought deferment of due dates of making payment of water and electricity bills by two months and has urged the Government to subsidize such payments by 50%. “Monthly rations for the months of April, May should be provided free to all BPL families and at more subsidized rates to APL families. We are going through unprecedented situation; it requires a empathetic response from Government,” he said.
Party’s senior leaders and former ministers Mian Altaf and Sakina Itoo have sought massive public distribution of essential items including personal hygiene material by the Government to the people living in all far-flung areas of J&K. Besides, the two leaders demanded enhanced bonus for frontline workers including doctors, paramedic staff, police, ground staffers of municipal committees, PHE and power. They also sought effective testing facilities in far-flung areas and enhancement of medical staff in the hilly districts of Kashmir.
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