By Naseer Khora
DODA
A fresh snowfall was witnessed last night in upper reaches of Chinab valley region, particularly in Bhaderweah area of Kailash Kund, Paddri, Soun Bouyen, triggering a ration crisis in the region.
In Kishtwar area, fresh snowfall was also witnessed in Wardwon, Marwah Dachan, Peeran and various other upper parts. The fresh snowfall has brought down the temperature in these areas.
People of some villages alleged that there is acute shortage of essential commodities and ration supply. “But the concerned Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department is not making any arrangements for supply of ration like atta, rice and sugar to these places,” the villagers said. “There is growing resentment among the people of Kishtwar area against the Food and Supplies department for irresponsible attitude towards the huge rural population.”
Local people of the area said that the department was supposed to dump the food grains for rural masses in the month of September as most of the link roads leading to these upper villages remain cut off from rest of the state and district headquarter as well in that month only. “But the department is paying least attention to these villages where heavy snowfall is expected at any time now,” the locals said. “In this connection a decision was also taken on ministry level that in upper reaches of the state particularly in Chinab valley region, the essential ration supplies would be dumped few months before winter starts but CAPD seems incapable of making any arrangements.”
When contacted, Assistant Director CAPD Sayed Ahmed Andrabi said that the supply to the far flung and remote villages is being sent and at the moment there is no scarcity in this Doda district. He further said that the department is trying to cover remotest and far flung areas on priority so that people of these areas may not face any type of difficulties.
The CAPD officials in Kishtwar area blamed ponnywallas for the ration crisis. “They (ponnywallas) are on strike against their pending dues with the department,” the officials said. “This has triggered a ration transport crisis in the area.”
