Srinagar: The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) Jammu & Kashmir has called on the government to address pressing public concerns, including healthcare deficiencies, environmental degradation, and road safety, while reiterating its demand for the restoration of statehood to J&K without further delay.
The GCC, in a General Body meeting chaired by Khurshid Ahmad Ganai (Retd. IAS, Former Advisor to J&K Governor), highlighted several critical issues requiring immediate intervention. Key among them are:
– Strengthening rural healthcare to reduce unnecessary referrals to tertiary hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu.
– Filling vacancies for doctors and specialists in hospitals.
– Improving access to cancer care services.
– Protecting the fast-receding Jhelum River and the dying Anchar Lake, along with other threatened water bodies.
– Enhancing road safety and traffic management in Srinagar and Jammu cities.
Jhelum & Anchar Lake in peril
Expressing alarm over environmental neglect, the GCC stated that the Jhelum River’s carrying capacity has drastically reduced since 2014, with long-pending flood protection projects remaining incomplete.
The group also raised concerns over Anchar Lake, describing it as “literally dying” due to unchecked encroachments and lack of conservation efforts. It urged the government to hand over Anchar Lake’s management to the Lakes Conservation & Management Authority (LCMA) for immediate restoration.
Restoration of statehood: A national imperative
The GCC emphasized that recent developments “yet again bring forth the imperatives of restoring statehood to J&K without further delay.” It cited Supreme Court directives and assurances by the Prime Minister and Home Minister in Parliament, calling the move “essential for the larger national interest.”
Achhan landfill: A public health emergency
The group flagged the Achhan landfill site as an “emerging public health crisis,” linking toxic gas emissions from the dump to rising cases of cancer, respiratory diseases, infertility, and allergies. It demanded an expert study by Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar and SKIMS to assess the health impact on nearby residents.
Call for stronger environmental laws
Given J&K’s fragile ecosystem, the GCC pressed for stricter environmental protection laws to prevent further ecological damage.
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