KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) has called for a complete Bandh on September 7 as a mark of protest against government’s failure to provide financial assistance to people affected by the last year’s floods which completes a year in September next month.
The strike call was given by KEA after holding a meeting Thursday in which representatives of its members associations participated. The trade bodies including transporters, traders and shopkeepers unanimously decided to observe complete shutdown on September 7 against government’s ‘fake promises’.
“We have decided to observe a complete strike on September 7. A year has passed since floods struck Kashmir Valley but government has so far failed to release any money for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims,” said Chairperson KEA Showkat Chowdhary.
Chowdhary said that KEA also decided to organize seminars and rallies in the first week of September as a mark of solidarity with the flood-affected people and also to press government for the rehabilitation of the people and business community.
The meeting was also attended by all trade body representatives including Farooq Ahmad Dar of contractors coordination committee, M Sidiq Ronga of Goods Transport Association, M Yousuf Chairman Minibus association, M Y Chapri of Houseboat Owners Association, G N War President Private School Coordination Committee, Bashir Ahmad Matta Chairman Western Bus Services Union, John Mohammad Koul Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, Abdul Majeed and Khurshid Ahmad of Electronic Goods Association, Shah Jahan of Food Processing Association, G N Pandow of Sumo and Taxi Association, Kashmir Motor Drivers Association and Harmain Transport representatives.
During the meeting, G N War was also elected as KEA’s Chief Publicity Secretary.
State government had proposed Rs 44000 Crore to centre government as part of the flood rehabilitation program but now a year has passed no package has been announced so far.
This has angered people especially business community in Valley who were worst hit during floods.
Chowdhary said that GoI and State government has only paid lip service to flood-affected people by not releasing any rehabilitation package.
“It is our right to demand rehabilitation package. PM has announced Rs 1.25-lakh-crore package for growth and development of Bihar while Rs 44000 Crore is a meagre amount compared to the package he announced for Bihar. This clearly shows GoI’s intention to ignore Kashmir which should have been prioritized for development after floods.”
“We will not accept GoI’s silence and we will come out on roads to press for our demands,” said KEA Chairman.
