SRINAGAR: Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) today staged a protest demonstration at Lal Chowk against the sealing of commercial complexes, hotels and business establishments in the Valley by the different agencies of the government.
The protest was attended by a large gathering of the constituent members of KEA which includes traders, hoteliers, transporters, contractors and other sectors of the business community , besides the owners and the staff members of the sealed properties .
The chairman KEA, Mohammad Yaseen Khan, addressed the gathering and urged government, particularly the chief minister Omar Abdullah, to submit a clear and positive policy before the High Court which will facilitate the de-sealing of affected properties at the next date of hearing in the Court.
He said the sealing has led to the closure of large number of establishments and self employed ventures leading to increase in unemployment in a valley which is already faced with serious unemployment problem among the educated youth. He cautioned that if the process of sealing goes on it will certainly lead to disastrous consequences, a KEA statement said.
The Chairman KEA questioned the role of the Officials of Srinagar Development Authority (SDA), Srinagar Municipal Corporation, LAWDA, other developmental authorities, etc who had authorized the construction of sealed structures. He demanded stern action for the acts of omission and commission committed by officials responsible for the present state of affairs. He added that it is an irony that the very departments/ officials who allowed these constructions are in the forefront in sealing them. He added that most of these properties have been charged fee at the commercial rate and the fee for other connections is also being charged as per commercial tariff.
Khan expressed apprehensions that it is only the valley which is being targeted on every front on different issues This seems to be a designed conspiracy against Kashmir and its people to crumble the Kashmir economy and leave the people in a state of desperation.
The chairman also wondered that the present Master plan has not been reviewed for the last more than ten years leaving no scope for carrying out the commercial activities for the growing population particularly youth of the valley, as the said Master plan is defective and full of loop holes which ought to have been subjected to modifications to accommodate commercial areas.
Khan urged upon the government to come up with a clean policy in regard to the sealing of properties and setting up of STPs before the Honble High court by the next date of hearing or else the business community of the valley will be compelled to launch an agitation to secure their rights of survival and sustenance.
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