JAMMU, Jan 14:A press conference was addressed by Fairoz Khan, Congress Leader & former national president of NSUI at Jammu today. In the press conference Khan put the light on various issues of Chenab Valley and state as a whole such as the increasing earthquakes, the issue of National Highway connecting Jammu and Srinagar, condition of local roads, lack of electricity, restoration of 4G network, restoration of statehood, age relaxation for KAS aspirants and forest rights law in J&K.
Khan said that the state is passing through a tough phase and Chenab valley region is the area that has suffered the most. Most of the roads in the region are in deplorable condition and no one is paying a heed towards these roads despite the numerous accidents taking place. He further stated that the condition of national highway from Jammu to Srinagar is in bad condition and Ramban district is suffering due to this and most of the area of the district is connected via this highway only. Need to build more tunnels on the National Highway. He requested the authorities to look into the issue and speed up the work so that the public does not suffer more due to the bad condition of roads. Road to Ahma Dardehi in Sujmatna panchayat & Bonjidar to pogal Road are needed for an hour in Banihal. in chenab valley there are no machines for clearance of snow, so it is requested to the administration to depute some in chenab valley.
Fairoz also discussed the increasing earthquakes in the Chenab region. He said that the whole Chenab valley has become prone to earthquakes and has turned into a seismic zone. This is really a serious issue and the lives of millions of residents of these three districts, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban, is at stake. Khan further pointed out that one of the reasons for the frequent earthquakes is the pressure of water collected in artificial lakes due to the construction of dams in the region. He said that three huge dams viz. Salal, Baghlihar and DulHasti are located in the region along with many smaller one also which has created a reservoir induced seismicity, and this has resulted in frequent earthquakes in the region. He urged the State Disaster Management to access the loss caused due to these earthquakes and also find out the solutions to deal with these in future to save the potential loss that may be caused.
While speaking to the media persons, Khan also said that there are frequent power cuts in the Ramban district which are making the life of people miserable during this winter season. He said that most of the times there is no electricity in the Ramban city leaving behind the villages. He also mentioned that they protested against the power department in Ramban a few weeks back and demanded shortening of the unplanned power cuts, but no action has been taken so far. He demanded that at least 2% of the electricity produced from Baglihar project shall be given to Ramban district and the same for other projects in other districts shall be followed. He stressed the need of augmentation of power infrastructure in the region.
Khan also laid stress on the need to restore the 4G network and statehood. He said that businesses, students and everyone is suffering due to the low-speed internet as most of the work are being done online and it is very difficult to manage on a low-speed internet. He also said that the status of statehood shall be restored as J&K has lost its glory due to downgrading to UT. It is unprecedented that a state is downgraded to union territory.
Forest right act committees are formed in hotchpotch manner, he requested to give it proper time for framing of the committees and then identification of the beneficiaries or in general public will suffer in the long run.
He stressed on proper functioning of Trauma Hospital Ramban , availability of doctors and proper running of PHC in the whole Chenab valley.
Rumours are JKPSC has reduced the age of KAS Aspirant’s to 32, we demand that it should remain the same as earlier and JKPSC should clear its stand asap.
Others who were present in the press conference included Ajay Kumar, National Delegate and Election Commissioner of NSUI, Chander Kant State General Secretary NSUI & Janagir Katoch.
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