Srinagar, May 15: Various social organizations and members of civil society have expressed serious concern over the non-availability of public urinals in the City.
 “In the past we had several SMC public loos in and around Lal Chowk here. But instead of constructing new public urinals, the SMC has removed several existing ones, depriving the people of this convenience. It is perhaps the only City where the public loos are very far and few between,” Srinagar Senior Citizens Forum spokesman said in a statement.
 “We are being deprived of facilities and conveniences necessary for all human beings by none but our own people especially those claiming to be public servants or our representatives. This is our lot,” he added.
 The spokesman said there is not a single SMC urinal in the whole downtown City, the Shahr-e-Khaas. “Will the MLAs concerned rise to the occasion and take necessary steps for construction of public loos in the areas of their respective constituencies?”  
 A senior member of Valley Citizens Council said: “One thing that hurts us more is the indifferent attitude of the government as well as the departments concerned towards our guests---tourists.”
 “The tourists come to Kashmir from far off places to enjoy its natural beauty and salubrious atmosphere. Nothing fails them in Kashmir but the manmade arrangements for their convenience that too taken care of by the government and its different institutions,” he added.
 Ali Muhammad a resident of Bemina said: “On the one hand, government is apparently showing too much concern for tourists’ comforts and conveniences, on the other hand, it ignores their fundamental human needs. If a tourist feels like making water at Karan Nagar or Batamaloo or Jehangir Chowk, he has to hire an auto and ask its operator to take him to the hotel for the purpose,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 15 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 IST