SRINAGAR: Independent MLA from north Kashmirs Langate constituency, Engineer Rashid today demanded that the state government should come out with a white paper furnishing details of funds provided on account of various packages given to different regions the state. He demanded that details pertaining to all the three regions Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh be furnished by the government to dispel the notion that Jammu region was being discriminated against.
While taking part in the discussion on grants pertaining to Industries and commerce department, called the charges of discrimination by some Jmmu based MLAs as ridiculous. He alleged that it is the Kashmiri people who are being made not only scapegoats but are being treated as second class citizens.
Er. Rasheed said that the huge industrial package given by the central government to the state in year 2002, which was operational till June 2012, was given to revive industrial sector in Kashmir which had suffered a huge set back because of turmoil.
But the official figures which have been provided by the Government Of India reveal that the 95 percent of the package has been spent in Jammu and Kathua districts only which is not only shameful but a clear cut proof that which region is facing discrimination, he calimed.
Er. Rasheed said that rather than providing further assistance on account of losses suffered due to this discrimination, the central government added salt to the injuries of Kashmiri people by setting of Prime Ministers Special Task Force to look into the charges of discrimination. This task force sanctioned further amount of Rs 400 crores for Jammu and Ladakh to address their grievances in the name of so called discrimination which had never taken place with them. Interestingly an amount of 50 crores has been spent from this amount as on date and that too only in Jammu & Kathua districts which have not only suffered least during turmoil but are enjoying huge packages, he added.
He said that the figures reveal that total of 20 thousand kannals of land is under organized industrial sector in Jammu while as just 7000 kannals of land stand registered with Industrial Estate in Kashmir. So the Jammu based politicians and Government of India should come clean on it and say who is the victim and the suffere.
Er Rasheed also said that in 1999 a survey carried by EDI Hyderabad had revealed that there are 87% sick industrial units in Kashmir valley and Central Govt. promised establishments of 100 Cr. rupees special fund for their revival but not even a penny was released for the Kashmir division.
He asked both state and central government not to play with the Sentiments and aspirations of Kashmiris and remove the disparity at all levels with Kashmiri people.
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