SRINAGAR: Decrying the callous attitude of the State Government in healing the wounds of flood affected people, the State Economic Reconstruction Forum (SERF) Saturday organized a road show in which apart from members from business community, a large number of common people participated.
The protestors carrying placards and banners started their march from Jehlum View Park that after passing through Regal Chowk culminated at Clock Tower in Lal Chowk.
Speaking on the occasion different traders who are part of the SERF including Muhammad Yasin Khan, G.M.Dug, Ashiq Hussain, Sadiq Baqal, Muhammad Yousuf Chapri and others said that SERF has been tolerant in giving the State and Central Governments adequate time to respond.
Six weeks have passed since the floods and there seems to be no lessening in the torment and anguish of the common man, speakers said.
They said that the winter months and snowfall will only add to the burden of the common people and traders.
The State Government has routinely announced the Durbar Move. The public is suffering from post traumatic stress and patience is at an end. The focus of both the State and the Central Government seems to on issues like elections. Politics has taken a front seat even in the relief and rehabilitation efforts thereby causing further damage. The entire recovery policy seems to have gone out of focus.
SERF alleged that the banks have failed to deliver. They have not only failed to deliver but have attempted to profit from the miseries of the people. The RBI guidelines emphasizing on immediate relief to the people have been deliberately ignored and delayed. Interest for the month of September, 2014 has been charged from all accounts. The banks have encouraged people to avail overdrafts and adhoc loans in order to earn extra interest. The banks have adopted a unilateral approach and failed to take stakeholders on board.
They said that the Central Government has delayed the intervention of the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The loss assessment has been reflective of the incompetence of the Governments. Kashmiris living all over the world have expressed their desire to help. Donations in the shape of cash and equipment has been collected. But this effort too is being thwarted by imposing politically colored conditions.
Pertinently, with the objective of collectively pursuing the economic interests of the common masses the State Economic Reconstruction Forum (SERF) is a forum jointly constituted by the apex organisations of trade, commerce and industry in the aftermath of the September Floods. (CNS)
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