Srinagar: While maintaining the physical distancing norms and observing health advisories, CPI (M) activists Tuesday held protests in several districts of Jammu & Kashmir as part of a nation-wide call for protest against the government’s devastating policies which have resulted in mass miseries, massive unemployment and huge sufferings for the people. The protesters were wearing protective masks, carrying play-cards and shouting slogans.
The protesters demanded cash transfer of Rs 7500 per month for a period of six month to all the families outside the income tax paying bracket and free distribution of 10 kg food grain, per individual, per month for a period of six months.
The other demands included extending employment guarantee scheme to the urban poor, immediate announcement of an unemployment allowance to unemployed persons, stopping the loot of national assets, privatization of the public sector and stopping the scrapping of labour laws.
Besides, the protesters also demanded restoration of 4G internet services in Jammu and Kashmir which have been snapped since last August and roll back of Domicile law which will have consequences on demography of the region. They also demanded implementation of minimum wages act to J&K workers as per central government notification and market intervention scheme for horticulture sector in the region which has suffered massive losses since last one year.
While addressing the protesters, CPI (M) leaders said at least an additional 150 million people have been rendered unemployed due to ill planned lockdown announced by the Modi government in March period adding to the overall huge numbers of the unemployed. A vast section of people have lost all means of livelihood and the heart rending experiences of hungry migrant workers on the roads marching back home has shown the depths of huger that a sizeable section of people are suffering today, they said.
