Peoples’ Conference demands loan waive off for artisans

Srinagar, Sep 22: Former legislators and senior J&K Peoples’ Conference leaders Mohammad Khurshid Alam, Abid Hussain Ansari and former Deputy Mayor Sheikh Mohammad Imran on Wednesday called on Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, raising several issues pertaining to the summer capital including the hardships being faced by the artisans in Srinagar and people living in the peripheries of Dal Lake.

During the meeting, the PC leaders raised the issue of the artisans whose livelihood is dependent on manufacture and sale of handicrafts and how since 2014 when the floods wreaked havoc in Kashmir, this community has been reeling under absolute distress.

The PC delegation also demanded waiving off of the loans of the Srinagar artisans, highlighting how due to the uncertain situation, they were left sans any means of a livelihood and that they are in no position to repay the loans.

Further, the delegation raised the issues of the Dal inhabitants and the dilapidated conditions of their dwellings they are being compelled to reside in. The leaders demanded a comprehensive policy for them so that a sustainable livelihood in their favour could be ensured.

The leaders also raised the issue of Burzahama locals, stating that there are mounting complaints coming from the locals ruing the highhandedness of the authorities over creating unnecessary hurdles in even minor repairs of their houses and horrifying them over petty issues.

The PC leaders also demanded digitization of revenue records especially Syedpora, Chatrahama, Harvan. They also discussed the need for more sports fields for District Srinagar, the issues of stone quarries at Zewan and issues related to the grazing rights of the Mulnag people who have been alleging highhandedness of the wildlife department in allowing their livestock to graze in the open fields.

The deputy commissioner Srinagar gave the delegation a patient hearing, assuring that the issues will be addressed on priority and on merit. —(KNO)