SRINAGAR: While terming the J&K Budget presented in Parliament as a routine exercise, CPI(M) on Thursday said it was disappointing for the people of the region as there was no concrete plan in it to revive the shattered economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
A spokesperson of CPI(M) said: “Unfortunately, it is the most disappointing Budget for the people of J&K. All businesses in J&K have been shattered post the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 and there is no mention of reviving them and to assist those who suffered huge losses.”
“After the August 2019 clampdown, economy of J&K has virtually collapsed as tourism, trade and other vital sectors were badly hit. Businesses have been shattered in Kashmir since 2019. Those who were already earning their livelihood were deprived of the same,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further said: “The unemployment level in J&K has reached its crescendo, but there is no mention of it in the Budget. The non-payment of wages to daily wagers, casual workers, NREGA workers, contractual, Anganwadi workers/helpers, ASHAs, CPWs, Mid-Day Meal workers and others for the last more than a year is a huge concern which the government has failed to address. The livelihood issues of people have been totally ignored in the Budget.”
“Core sectors of our economy agriculture and horticulture have totally been neglected by the government, despite J&K being an agricultural state and major chunk of population dependent on this sector. Issue of fair price for farmers produce by ensuring a minimum support price for all crops has been their long-pending demand. But there is no mention of it in the Budget,” the spokesperson said.
“Thousands of artisans in the Valley are without work since August 2019. After agriculture, handicrafts form an important sector of the economy of Kashmir. According to figures by Kashmir’s handicrafts department, some four lakh artisans are associated with the sector, of which around two lakh are registered with the department. But the Budget has failed them also,” he said
“On the ground, even those projects are pending which had started before the BJP government came to power in Center in 2014. Those projects which were started in UPA-II are still incomplete. Business activities and developmental works, including repair of roads, and livelihood issues of people have come to a halt in Kashmir,” the spokesperson said.
“Despite a power crisis in winter in Kashmir and in Jammu in the summer, no there is no concrete plan in the Budget to address this issue. Similarly, a huge number of people in J&K continue to suffer due to shortage of safe drinking water as hundreds of water supply schemes are hanging in balance due to acute scarcity of funds. There is no mention of it in the Budget,” he added.
