SRINAGAR: Hundreds of activists in Srinagar from CITU and the Jammu Kashmir Apple Farmers Federation gathered at Press Enclave, holding protest demonstrations against what they perceive as anti-people, anti-worker, and anti-farmer policies of the government. The protesters voiced their discontent through slogans against the government.
CITU President Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami expressed concerns about the challenges faced by the common people, particularly the severe power crisis in Kashmir. The region is currently grappling with its worst power shortage in the last two decades, leading to long and unscheduled power cuts. The situation is exacerbated by sub-zero temperatures, impacting hospitals and causing difficulties in various sectors.
“J&K is a direct victim of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) and has been put at a disadvantageous position. J&K is made to bear a recurring loss of billions of rupees annually besides limiting its 15,000 MW power generation potential,” stated Tarigami, urging the central government to compensate for these losses.
He further emphasised the need to raise royalty from the existing 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. Tarigami called for the implementation of recommendations by the Rangarajan Committee to transfer two JK-based hydroelectric power projects to J&K.
Ghulam Nabi Malik, a Kisan leader, highlighted the plight of apple farmers, stating that despite apples providing livelihoods to thousands of households in Kashmir, farmers are in distress. The major issue, according to Malik, is the denial of remunerative prices, coupled with the supply of spurious pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers, harming the produce and orchards.
Mohamad Afzal Parry, another Kisan leader, demanded a 100 percent import duty on foreign apples, subsidized rates for fertilizers and pesticides for apple farmers, and 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, a Kisan leader, highlighted 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.
Abdul Rashid Pandit, a trade union leader, expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of concrete actions following the constitution of several committees for the regularization of daily wagers, casual labourers, and other workers. Pandit also criticised the treatment of registered construction unions, essential stakeholders facing isolation and harassment.
The administration’s recent order restricting employees from protesting or raising issues was condemned as a colonial law that requires 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.
