Govt. Permitted Private Companies to access Jehlum, Puts Blanket Ban on Locals
Samaniya Bhat
Srinagar: Since ages, labors from different parts of the valley were earning their livelihood by extracting sand and clay from river Jehum, now are going through dark phase after government putting a blanket ban on their earnings and allotted a contract to private limited.
Termed the Govt.s ban a serious threat to their livelihood, labors associated with sand extraction in a chat with Kashmir Despatch said, this ban is directly a serious threat to our livelihood as sand extraction was the only source for thousands of people in Kashmir region. They said if this ban persists people in numbers will suffer to feed their families.
Jehangir Ahmed a lone bread earner for his family sitting on the bank of river Jehlum at Delina-Ghat, tears were shedding from his eyes while saying we are helpless after this contract was offered to “Reach” the Kolkata based private limited and is now holding an authority to access Jehlum for dredging services.
“Reach” The Kolkata based private limited was given the tender Post Abrogation of Article 370 (Earlier so-called the special status for Jammu and Kashmir as per constitution). During that phase, internet services were snapped across Jammu and Kashmir due to which local contractors failed to bid online for E-Tendering.
Mohammad Rafiq Bhat a Delina resident while expressing grief on his face commented on this ban as saying our future is at stake as Govt. is snatching “Rozi Roti” bread and butter from us by giving contract to none locals of the region.
Fayaz Ahmed Shah serving sarpanch of Delina village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla reacts over this Govt’s ban to Kashmir Despatch remarks; Govt. should redress this issue at earliest so that this poor section won’t suffer. While saying for decades we are employed on sand extraction and were earning livelihood for their families with honor but after implementation of the ban, it would be likely possible to switch our jobs as educated youth are already unable to find jobs. It indicates a lack of employment opportunities is such a social threat to our valley.
Imran Bhukari a social activist narrated as almost 18 lack people in Valley survive on the sand extraction from river Jhelum, around ten thousand families completely rely on the manual work from decades. Jammu and Kashmir are already bound with unemployment and this will further push the people towards Dark Age.
The segment of society is pleading to LG Murmu and the central government for revocation of this ban.
