Srinagar, Nov 10: The Valley traders and manufacturers have joined the cause of STD and PCO owners against the blanket ban by the Union Home Ministry on prepaid services in J&K. The umbrella body of the traders and manufacturers, Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation shall hold a protest march from Budshah Chowk on Wednesday at 11 AM. 
 “The march will be carried out to express our solidarity with the affected STD and PCO owners who are suffering huge financial losses due to the ban,” president, KTMF, Muhammad Yasin told Greater Kashmir.
 Terming the ban undemocratic, he urged the Centre to restore the prepaid service immediately. “The problem of unemployment has increased manifold and has become a burning issue in the state. The ban on the service will further add to the unemployment and will severely affect thousands of families dependent on the trade,” Yasin said, adding that around 20, 000 people have been rendered jobless due to the ban. The ban is totally unjustified particularly when the government has been saying that the situation in the state has improved.
 About the security concerns expressed by the Home Ministry over the use of prepaid SIMs, the KTMF president said the government should introduce strict measures to check the fake identities and the misuse of SIM cards. “Proper verification of the subscribers should be conducted before issuing of SIMs,” he said adding the ban on the service was uncalled for.  The traders smell conspiracy in the move alleging the ban was imposed to benefit ‘certain’ telecommunication companies as it would fetch them around two billion rupees.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 IST