Altaf Bukhari urges govt to address public woes in view of inclement weather
‘Ensure snow clearance on roads, uninterrupted electricity supply & availability of emergency health facilities’
Srinagar: Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Saturday urged the Divisional Administration of Kashmir zone to ensure that all contingency plans are executed smoothly in case of any emergencies due to inclement weather conditions.
In a statement issued here, Bukhari said the Meteorological Department had already issued a red colour warning and it remains the responsibility of authorities in-charge to ensure that people do not suffer in any manner.
“I have received numerous calls from the people across Kashmir division, especially from remote areas, who have complained about the negligent attitude of the administration with regards to road blockades. The roads in these areas have not been cleared off the snow thus making it extremely problematic for locals to step outside their homes. The government should dispatch special teams to supervise the road clearance drives in all the districts,” he said.
In addition to that, Bukhari said the widespread power blackouts during snowfall is adding to the misery of the people as the conventional sources of energy like Kerosene and firewood are not accessible to them anymore.
“The administration must realize that people in Kashmir valley are mostly dependent on electricity now. It is regrettable that even after incorporating exponential hikes in electricity bills, people continue to suffer immensely. Numerous villages and towns have been plunged into darkness while requisite measures to restore power back to these areas are still missing. The administration and power department should ensure that people have to face no inconvenience in these pressing times and put forth necessary efforts for repairing the cut-off wires and damaged transformers across the winter zone of J&K,” he demanded.
Bukhari also urged the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department (CAPD) to maintain a strong vigil on the markets and take stern action against the black-marketers and hoarders who sell goods at exorbitant prices.
“The prices of essential commodities increase manifold during such weather conditions & common people are forced to pay hefty prices towards these black marketers. However, the concerned department should check the arbitrary price hikes and deal with the unscrupulous elements in the markets. Besides, the department must also ensure that there exists no scarcity of food grains along with LPG fuel cylinders,” he demanded.
He also asserted that in case of medical emergencies especially in the far-flung areas, the department of health should remain prepared and aid the patients who require immediate medical care.
“The emergency healthcare lines and allied services need to be kept on guard in order to avoid any mishaps while ensuring that ailing and sick face no inconvenience at all,” he added.
