Published On:Monday, 20 October 2014
Trade, business leaders hold protest
SERF hits out at Omar, Modi govt
SRINAGAR: Hitting at Central and State Government, the State Economic Reconstruction Forum, a conglomerate of various trade, business and industry organization, on Saturday said that both the governments have failed to rehabilitate and compensate the flood victims in the state.
The traders took to streets in the afternoon and marched on the Residency Road in the City Center, Lal Chowk. Holding banners and chanting anti-government slogans, the traders assembled at the Clock-Tower to "expose the government's failure in undertaking relief and rehabilitation operations after the floods."
Member of SERF, Shakeel Qalander said that state's economy was down by one trillion but both the Central and State Governments were insensitive to the problems of people. "Over a month has passed and winter has set-in, we have seen nothing from the Government of India.
"Why is Government insensitive to the problems of common man," he asked. "We are not begging, we demand our right." Qalander further said that Government should inform them about the steps being taken for rehabilitation and compensation of flood victims.
SERF was recently formed by various trader bodies to press for the rehabilitation and compensation demands. Another member of SERF, Sheikh Ashiq said that six weeks have passed since floods hit the Valley but no rehabilitation process has been started yet. "We demand immediate rehabilitation of traders affected by the recent floods. Also those who had lost their homes should be rehabilitated immediately," he said.
Afaq Ahmad said that traders were not out on streets for politics but they want their voices to be heard by Government of India. "We are not here for politics but we want our voices to reach to the Indian Government. We want to ask the Indian government why International aid to Kashmir was not allowed," he said.
The traders also chanted anti-Modi slogans. "Mr. PM how long it will take you to announce rehabilitation plan." Muhammad Yaseen Khan while criticizing the Central Government said that it was 'shameful' on the part of Central Government to maintain silence about the rehabilitation of traders and people who have lost their homes by the floods. "We want ask Indian Government are you testing our patience. Business, Agriculture, Horticulture, houses are devastated and why is GoI silent,"
He also said that what government is doing about those who are not insured. "Only 40 percent traders are insured, what about the 60 percent people who have no insurance," he asked.
Muhammad Sidiq Bakal said that it is 'shameful' that government has no policy regarding traders, horticulture sector, Agriculture or housing which was badly impacted during the floods.
SERF demanded that the assessment of all losses in all sectors should be done in close collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank through the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) as was done in the case of Uttarakhand. The SERF has also demanded a ten year Income Tax exemption for Kashmir Valley.
SRINAGAR: Hitting at Central and State Government, the State Economic Reconstruction Forum, a conglomerate of various trade, business and industry organization, on Saturday said that both the governments have failed to rehabilitate and compensate the flood victims in the state.
The traders took to streets in the afternoon and marched on the Residency Road in the City Center, Lal Chowk. Holding banners and chanting anti-government slogans, the traders assembled at the Clock-Tower to "expose the government's failure in undertaking relief and rehabilitation operations after the floods."
Member of SERF, Shakeel Qalander said that state's economy was down by one trillion but both the Central and State Governments were insensitive to the problems of people. "Over a month has passed and winter has set-in, we have seen nothing from the Government of India.
"Why is Government insensitive to the problems of common man," he asked. "We are not begging, we demand our right." Qalander further said that Government should inform them about the steps being taken for rehabilitation and compensation of flood victims.
SERF was recently formed by various trader bodies to press for the rehabilitation and compensation demands. Another member of SERF, Sheikh Ashiq said that six weeks have passed since floods hit the Valley but no rehabilitation process has been started yet. "We demand immediate rehabilitation of traders affected by the recent floods. Also those who had lost their homes should be rehabilitated immediately," he said.
Afaq Ahmad said that traders were not out on streets for politics but they want their voices to be heard by Government of India. "We are not here for politics but we want our voices to reach to the Indian Government. We want to ask the Indian government why International aid to Kashmir was not allowed," he said.
The traders also chanted anti-Modi slogans. "Mr. PM how long it will take you to announce rehabilitation plan." Muhammad Yaseen Khan while criticizing the Central Government said that it was 'shameful' on the part of Central Government to maintain silence about the rehabilitation of traders and people who have lost their homes by the floods. "We want ask Indian Government are you testing our patience. Business, Agriculture, Horticulture, houses are devastated and why is GoI silent,"
He also said that what government is doing about those who are not insured. "Only 40 percent traders are insured, what about the 60 percent people who have no insurance," he asked.
Muhammad Sidiq Bakal said that it is 'shameful' that government has no policy regarding traders, horticulture sector, Agriculture or housing which was badly impacted during the floods.
SERF demanded that the assessment of all losses in all sectors should be done in close collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank through the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) as was done in the case of Uttarakhand. The SERF has also demanded a ten year Income Tax exemption for Kashmir Valley.
