Mr Umar Rather Provincial Secretary Kashmir JKPM in a Press statement criticized the present dispensation for the allotment of Contracts of lifting sand, Bajri and Boulders from river Jehleum and its tributaries throughout Kashmir Valley to Non Locals which will badly effect the livelihood of thousands of poor people dependent on these resources.
He further said that contracts have been alloted through e-tendering bids in all the Districts of Kashmir Valley without giving any Notions of the fate of persons contracts given to locals. The Government is seemingly hell bent to enable outsiders to loot the Natural resources of Kashmir Valley which will among other things cause a ecological disaster as well, He said Mostly the people could not avail the opportunity of filling tenders in time in absence of high speed internet facility particularly in farflung, backward and hilly areas.
Previously the locals were also were also lifting sand etc from rivers especially from Jehlem against royalty paid to the Government, but at reasonable and slow pace which was not effecting the shape of rivers and siol and if allowed at a large scale now will have serious complications.
Mr Umer impressed up on the Government to cancel all the contracts given to Non locals as early as possible.
