ibn sultan
Srinagar, Sep 07: Jammu and Kashmir Congress president, Tariq Hameed Karra, on Sunday expressed deep concern over the widespread damage in Jammu, Poonch-Rajouri, Pir Panjal, Chenab, and across the Kashmir Valley.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones due to the disaster.
He criticized the government’s lapses and criminal negligence, especially at Chashm-e-Mata and Vaishno Devi Mata, where insensitivity has been shown despite tragic loss of human lives. He said that the administration’s failures have been evident and that discussions were held to highlight these issues.
Karra pointed out that many sectors have suffered, including landowners, private businesses, vehicles, crops, and public infrastructure.
He added that the developmental projects, particularly those linked to smart cities in Jammu and Srinagar, have been exposed as weak and defective by nature itself.
“If no one else could expose the government’s failures, nature has done it,” he remarked.
He further criticized both state and central government projects, calling them flawed and incomplete.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the official inquiries set up for the incidents at Mata Vaishno Devi and Chashm-e-Mata, he demanded the formation of high-level committees.
“The current committees have a poor track record and include members from earlier committees whose reports are still pending. Such people should not be part of these investigations,” he said.
Calling the government’s response a “mockery of the system,” he condemned the claim that Rs 209 crores have been spent on rehabilitation as a cruel joke.
He stressed that thousands of crores are required for proper reconstruction and relief efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.
He recalled that in 2015, when floods hit Nepal, the government sent massive financial aid, while ignoring the needs of Kashmir during its own flood crisis. “This shows the government’s insensitivity towards its own people,” he said.
Karra said that this issue was raised in Parliament to highlight the government’s double standards – being concerned for foreign nations, while neglecting its own citizens during times of disaster. “Even today, their attitude remains unchanged,” he added. (KNS)
