National Conference on Wednesday said the budgetary allocations for Jammu and Kashmir for 2020-21 “sans vision”, leaving people affiliated with horticulture, handicradts, and tourism sector high and dry.
In a joint statement, party spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar anddistrict President, Peer Afaq said the incumbent government has failed to takesteps to revive the ailing economy of J&K.
“The people associated with horticulture sector had pinnedtheir hopes on the budgetary allocations, hoping that the central governmentwould come to their rescue and provide recompense to their losses that they hadincurred due to the inclement weather conditions previous year. However peopleare feeling dejected,” they said, adding, “There is nothing substantial in thebudget that endeavors to revive the demand and consumption in J&K.”
They said the only way to stipulate the economy was to givemoney in the hands of deprived and under privileged. “The budget is more of apatch work devised to hide the failures of the government in stimulating growththat has come to a halt after August 5 last year,” said the statement.
Imran said the annual budgetary allocation for J&K for2020-21 was “diminutive and directionless.” “The fate of nearly 60,000consolidated and daily wagers is hanging in lurch. The government has yet againchosen to not to address their woes in its financial layout for 2020-21,” hesaid.
He said the recompense being given out to the orchardists,who have incurred heavy losses owing to snowfall was akin to rubbing salt totheir wounds. “The government has washed hands of its responsibility by givingthem Rs 900 per kannal.” Imran said.
He said the handicrafts sector was already hit by GST. “Theartisans involved in the sector have now been hit hard. The government shouldhave invested more in reviving their livelihood which has not happened,” hesaid. “Tourism industry in Kashmir has suffered immense losses over thepast one year owing to uncertain situation. “