Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member Parliament, Hasnain Masoodi today called on Lieutenant Governor in Delhi and raised a number of urgent matters of public importance with the LG.
Masoodi voiced concern about the outbreak of Hepatitis in Turka Tachloo and its adjoining areas in Yaripora, Kulgam, suspected to be caused due to supply of untreated drinking water.
While demanding immediate steps to control and prevent the spread of the disease, Masoodi pointed out that the Filtration plants at Yaripora, Bugam, Behibagh, Kulgam, and a few Water Supply Schemes like one at Khrew and Kullar, though constructed at a huge cost using taxpayers money, are not functional or only partly functional due to small disputes that could be settled with some commitment and call for immediate resolution.
Masoodi demanded the constitution of a high-level committee to look into and resolve all the disputes so that scores of dysfunctional drinking water facilities are made operational and safe drinking water is made available to people of the respective area.
Masoodi expressed his dismay over the inordinate delay in making necessary modifications to Srinagar Master Plan 2034. He said that though the SDA invited public response to the proposed modification more than six months back, the matter is inexplicably kept pending to the agony and inconvenience of inhabitants of built-up areas denied permission to raise construction due to arbitrary inclusion in prohibition zones and unrealistic land use laid down in the Master Plan. The problem of alarming dust pollution in Khrew area and its adverse impact on the ecosystem and public health and loss of livelihood were also highlighted and steps suggested by Masoodi to bring relief to the affected population of Khrew and adjoining areas worst affected by the pollution.
Masoodi reiterated his stand that instead of auctioning now shut down JKCL, to set up one more cement plant, the land is used to establish an Industrial Estate for local youth to set up non-polluting and eco-friendly industrial units and a part of the land earmarked for proposed college at Khrew. Masoodi emphasised that one more cement factory would be beyond the “carrying capacity” of an otherwise dust-saturated atmosphere and bring further destruction to the area.
The issues related to the South Campus of Kashmir University and strengthening the healthcare system at Anantnag were also raised. Masoodi sought the intervention of LG to resolve the problem faced by the students from Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, pursuing technical courses in different colleges of the Country under PMSSS. “The students are threatened expulsion and denial of hostel facilities for the reason that they while availing of PMSSS also applied for or actually received scholarships under NSP.”
Masoodi demanded that as the lapse in all probability may be due to mere inadvertence, it be condoned or at the most, the beneficiary asked to return and the benefit drawn under NSP without threatening cancellation of admission and benefits under Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS).
