Srinagar, July 20 (Vijay Kumar) –Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and President Mehbooba Mufti expressing their anguish at the continued denial to the people of basic amenities.
In a statement issued here today they said non availability of rations in almost all areas of the state had created a famine like situation. In spite of repeated announcements by the government about availability of rations there was acute deficiency of food in most of the rural, Kandi and hilly areas.
Mehbooba said most of the ration depots were empty and people had to buy food grains at exorbitant prices from the open market. There was no control on prices either and government was almost non existent everywhere.
The PDP president said shortage of food was becoming a major cause of concern in Kashmir and Jammu divisions. While special measures were taken in other regions of the country facing deficient rainfall, no attention was being paid to J&K. In Poonch Rajouri, Kathua, Udhampur and Chenab valley areas an crisis was taking place without the
government bothering even to inquire about the situation. Similarly, in north, south and central Kashmir most people were left to fend for themselves with the Public Distribution system almost completely collapsed.
Mehbooba said the government instead of trotting out statistics should try to reach out to people in this hour of crisis and take special measures for solution of this grave problem. Otherwise the unrest among the people already reeling under huge economic and security
problems could be further pushed to wall, she cautioned.
They said the occasion should remind us all of the hard struggle that Prophet Mohammad (SAW) launched for the good of humanity and how he ascended the heights of glory as a
result. In his fight for his faith and the mission that Allah entrusted him with the prophet underwent tremendous sacrifice and hardships that should serve as a beacon light for all of us, they said.
Praying for the success of the people of the state in their struggle for peace, dignity and prosperity and resolution of the political problems, the PDP leaders said our sacrifices need to be channelized along constructive avenues as ordained by Islam.