Srinagar: Representatives of trade, tourism and civil society here on Wednesday unanimously rejected the package of Rs 2,437 crore announced by the Centre for reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir, saying it is a “humiliation” for the people of the State.
“We were pursuing the package for the last 10 months and the Centre had promised us that they will prioritise addressing our concern.
“However, there is nothing for us in this package. The announcement is shocking and we reject the package. It is a humiliation for the people,” Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President, Ashiq Hussain Sheikh told reporters here.
Sheikh was addressing reporters at a joint press conference of various trade and tourism bodies, as well as representatives of the civil society.
He said the package had left the people, especially the business fraternity, “dejected”.
“We feel dejected. If our genuine concerns are not addressed, we are heading towards economic disaster,” he said.
President, Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Mohammad Yaseen Khan, said the Centre was “rubbing salt on the wounds of the Kashmiri people”.
“We don’t understand what sin are they punishing us for? We had made a loss estimate of rupees one lakh crore, but the State Government submitted a proposal of Rs 44,000 crore.
Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) had promised to release the package soon. But this is rubbing salt on our wounds,” Khan said.
He said the ruling PDP had entered into the alliance with the BJP on the pretext of getting required funds from the Centre, but the party has failed to do so.
He asked the PDP to break away from the coalition to protest what he called was “joke of the decade”.
“They should part ways from the BJP. All the MLAs should resign to protest this joke of the decade. They should join us in demanding a comprehensive package,” Khan said.
Representatives of civil society also rejected the package, saying the Central Government stood “exposed”.
“The tall claims of the Government of India that we (Kashmiris) were their brothers stand exposed. A step-motherly attitude was adopted towards Kashmiri people right from the rescue operations to providing relief,” Shakeel Qalandar said.
The representatives also crticised the opposition of Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal to the State Government’s demand of approving a share in profits of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, saying the NHPC’s presence in the State was “illegal and unconstitutional”.
“We stand united to tell the State Government to throw NHPC out of the State. They are here illegally and unconstitutionally. There is no document to prove that they have a legal stand to stay here,” he said.
The members also demanded setting up of IIT, IIM, IIMC along with AIIMS in the Kashmir Valley.
They said they would soon form a committee to come with a programme for the future course of action.
Meanwhile, Opposition Congress termed the package as a “cruel joke”, saying the attitude of the Centre was “condemnable”.
“The package is condemnable. It is a joke with the people of the State especially with the people of Kashmir,” Vice-President of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), Ghulam Nabi Monga told reporters here.
He questioned Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s agenda for joining hands with the BJP for an alliance in the State.
“This government was formed for funds but where are the funds now? Was this then Agenda for the Alliance he (Sayeed) was talking about? Had he joined hands with the BJP for this?” he asked.
Monga advised the Chief Minister to quit the alliance.
“Sayeed should quit the alliance. He should part ways with the BJP,” he said.
He alleged that the Centre finalised the rehabilitation plan without taking any interest and completely ignored the damage to various sectors in the State.
He said the government was “befooling” the people of the State.
“The Finance Minister had said he would not go to New Delhi with a begging bowl. But he was in Delhi yesterday. What has he got now? How is he satisfied with this package? They are befooling the people. The State Government has no right to stay in power,” he said.
Accusing the NDA Government of neglecting the State, the Congress leader said the previous UPA Government at the Centre had always helped the State with an “open heart”.