The Jammu and Kashmir unit of Congress on Tuesday termed theextension of nationwide lockdown a compulsion to combat coronavirus butstressed that the problems of distressed citizens cannot be ignored on thepretext of fighting the disease.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that thecurrent lockdown will be extended till May 3, saying it is very necessary tocontain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
The extension in the lockdown was a step taken undercompulsion. There was a national consensus on it but what is annoying is thatthe prime minister did not address the concerns which had come to light overthe past couple of weeks, Chief spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir PradeshCongress Committee (JKPCC) Ravinder Sharma said.
The government cannot ignore the problems of the people whoare at the receiving end of the prolonged lockdown.
You cannot ignore the distressed population on the pretextof fighting coronavirus. We support the lockdown and are advising people tofollow the advisories of the government religiously but at the same time thegovernment should also try to reach out and address the problems of the public,he said.
The movement of stranded people, especially students,migrant labourers and patients needs to be ensured with certain safeguards. Wehave a lot of local residents holed up outside the Union Territory who are makingfrantic calls but the local administration is silent on the issue and nottaking steps for their safe return, he added.
He said there is a large number of migrant labourers inJammu and Kashmir who are running short of ration and money.
They had come to earn a living here but are worst hitbecause of the prevailing situation, Sharma said alleging that even a largesection of the locals, especially those living in remote areas were yet to gettheir monthly ration leave aside the promised free ration.
Referring to the problems being faced by patients sufferingfrom chronic and life threatening diseases, Sharma said they are beingneglected because the entire focus of the official machinery is on combatingCOVID-19.
The government should come out with a contingency plan tofacilitate smooth treatment to those suffering from serious ailments. Theyshould be provided with to and fro ambulances services, he said.
Noting that farmers too were in distress as crops were readyfor harvest, Sharma said the administration should come out with a workableplan so that the farmers can attend to their crops in time.
Welcoming online coaching and teaching because of shuttingof schools, Sharma said the exercise has no meaning for a large section ofstudents in the UT due to non-availability of 4G mobile internet.
The government should immediately restore the 4G mobileinternet services. Only a handful students having broadband and Wi-Ficonnections at their homes are able to download the content and attend theonline coaching, while the majority of students are unable to avail thefacility, he said.
He also demanded the smooth movement of nomadic Gujjar andBakarwal communities who move from Jammu region to Kashmir in search of greenerpastures as well as elderly Kashmiris who have come to Jammu during winterseason ahead of the holy month of Ramzan.