New Delhi, Dec 11: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference MP from Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi on Saturday raised a volley of issues concerning people of Kashmir in Lok Sabha.
Masoodi, according to the NC spokesperson, raised the issue of retired employees of JK cements under rule 377 of the Lok Sabha and demanded that the unpaid salaries of 72 employees amounting to Rs Seven Cr be released forthwith. He noted that withholding the retirement benefits to these employees has brought them to the brink of starvation. He also implored the government to release retirement benefits to other such employees of JK cements Ltd who were sent on deputation to other departments.
The public sector undertaking, he stated, had been a profit making entity a few years ago and has now been closed down. He said that preparations are underway to sell the assets of the company as well. Instead of selling the assets, he argued that it would be desirable to set up an eco-friendly industrial park for unemployed youth who intend to set up their own eco-friendly factories.
He said that the youth living in the adjoining areas have been impacted by pollution on Saffron and agriculture sector and having an eco-friendly industrial park for such aspiring local youth would help save the local ecology and give employment as well. He demanded that local skilled and unskilled youth be given easy loans to set up their own units at the site after the old infrastructure is pulled down.
Speaking on the resolution brought by BSP MP in Lok Sabha, Masoodi demanded that the honorarium of Anganwadi and Asha workers be augmented to the entry level class second and third level employees. He noted that Anganwadi and Asha workers have been at the forefront of the battle against COVID.
He maintained that these Anganwadi centers have become the nerve center of rural development and the need of the hour demands GOI to organize hand holding, capacity building and convergence programmes for these workers so that they play a more meaningful role in rural development.
