Srinagar: MP Anantnag Hasnain Masoodi has demanded free electricity to Khrew and adjoining pollution-affected areas.
Masoodi, according to the NC spokesperson, in his recent meetings with Chief Secretary and Divisional Commissioner emphasised that dust pollution and other emissions from the Cement Factories and the limestone mining in the Khrew area have over the years caused immense loss to horticulture, agriculture, livestock, flora, fauna, soil texture, water table and the entire ecosystem of Khrew area and resulted in the loss of livelihood to the entire population; that the area known for the production of high-quality dry fruit, fresh fruit and saffron a few decades back has now reached zero production of these important cash crops.
The pollution apart from adversely affecting the economy of the area, it was stated, has resulted in an alarming increase in cardiac and pulmonary diseases.
Masoodi demanded free electricity to Khrew and adjoining areas adversely affected by air pollution having regard to the disastrous impact of pollution on the income and resources of the local population. It was insisted that as per the practice in vogue the industry pays for the utilities in affected areas and concession in electricity charges would be in the nature of a small measure to compensate for the losses inflicted.
He has pointed out that as the cemetery industry uses all the resources like air, water, limestone, clay, etc of the area and is a profit-making industry it is under an obligation to compensate the local population for the adverse effects of the emissions made by the cement industry.
Masoodi has opposed the auction of JKCL and demanded that the area be converted into an industrial estate and allotted to local unemployed youth for setting up eco-friendly, non-polluting industrial units and part of the land be earmarked for the degree college expected to be established in the area. He has also demanded the upgradation of local PHC as SDH and the establishment of a unit of CDH in SDH to monitor the increase in the incidence of pulmonary and cardiac diseases due to pollution.
