“Every delegation from outside that visit Kashmir comes at a cost. Millions are being spent on the visits of Parliamentarians and other dignitaries that have virtually drained the exchequer. No development has taken place. Roads are in shambles, the water shortage has added to the woes of common people,” this was stated by Janata Dal United president for Jammu Kashmir GM Shaheen today.
Shaheen addressed a press conference at his Raj Bagh based party office.
He told Reporters that in March this year Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman described the budget allocated for Jammu and Kashmir as a historic one. He said six months have passed and only 30% of funds have reached Jammu Kashmir.
“Union Finance Minister had allocated a budget of over Rs one lakh crore. But the 30% that has been sent to Jammu and Kashmir have been spent on salaries of employees and for the development of other sectors. Crores are being spent over the visits of delegations,” he said.
He said a couple of hotels where dignitaries and other VIPs and their staff stays have earned crores of rupees. “All this money comes from the exchequer of Jammu Kashmir,” he said.
Janata Dal United president for Jammu and Kashmir GM Shaheen said that from past three years, development has come to a halt. “Leave aside the construction of new hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, even an irrigation pump has not been installed. Nothing new happens on the ground. Whatever is being inaugurated or talked about are the old developmental projects,” he said.
“Can you give me a single example where the government constructed a new hospital?’ Shaheen questioned.
He said people are badly suffering due to lack of development. “I recently visited a couple of areas in Srinagar where roads are in shambles. People have no access and even if they convey their problems to authorities, nothing changes on the ground. See the Ram Bagh-Mehjoor Nagar-Padshahi Bagh road. Commuters are facing tough time. There are massive potholes. Mehjoor Nagar foot bridge has not been touched by the concerned department ever since it was damaged due to incessant rains. People are helpless and choked,” he said.
Shaheen talked about various areas where there is no development. He said PDD dispatches fatty power bills much to the annoyance of general public and nobody listens to them.
He urged upon LG Administration to redress the problems of people without any delay.