Concerned citizens want attention of government to pressing issues in J&K
SRINAGAR
JUNE 05: The “Group of Concerned Citizens” ( GCC), J&K , in a special meeting here, discussed a number of issues of public importance. The Group has made a fervent plea that the Government give due attention to these issues to alleviate the problems faced by common people.
According to a statement issued by the Group, the Srinagar Hospitals continued to be overburdened, beyond capacity, in absence of adequate specialised facilities at the district level, even after coming up of new Medical Colleges. “It is imperative to fill up the gaps in the health care delivery system at district level, without further delay, to spare common people the ordeal of having to travel to Srinagar for treatment . There is also need to strictly enforce the already imposed ban on private practice of doctors posted in medical colleges and associated hospitals as well as SKIMS,” reads the statement of the Group.
The Group also discussed the need for separate Cancer Hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu in view of the increasing incidence of various Cancer diseases.
The Group, as per its statement, took note of “lack of any policy and strong action” to arrest the unabated and widespread conversion of agriculture land for construction purposes, and felt that agriculture, horticulture and floriculture deserved top priority as “highest contributors to J&K’s GDP, incomes and employment after the Services sector”. It suggested that Government popularize vertical farming for growing vegetables and fruit , green houses for agriculture activities during winter months, indoor cultivation of crops like mushroom, certain varieties of vegetables and fruit etc.
The GCC viewed with concern that skilling and startup policies in J&K were grossly inadequate in relation to the size and spread of unemployment across sectors.
Unlike other states in the country, there are no big initiatives in training of students in new technologies like AI.
” The rivers, lakes and other water bodies have become dumping sites of solid waste of all types.There is a glaring need of change in people’s perceptions and attitudes on use of non bio-degradable materials. They must also extend their fullest support to official agencies charged with preservation and protection of natural resources. On the other hand, the Government would not seem doing enough to ensure sustainable handling of solid waste including plastics and e- waste. It must come out with implementable policies on the basics —the four Rs of solid waste management : Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover “, a GCC statement released here today said.
Further , it called for careful scrutiny and review of any new proposals for lateral extension of railway network within the Valley as large tracts of agriculture land and habitations are likely to be impacted. It however welcomed extension of Katra- Srinagar- Baramulla railway track upto Kupwara and similarly extension of train services from Jammu to Rajouri and Poonch towns.
(STC)
