Srinagar, Feb 22: The Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) on Monday extended its full support to the transporters’ strike, saying that they will extend their complete support for the fulfilment of the “genuine demands of the transporter fraternity.” The KEA has also appealed to LG for “resolving the issues at the earliest.”

While talking to Rising Kashmir, KEA Chairman Muhammad Yasin Khan said that the transporters are the lifeline of any society and that their contribution cannot be ignored by any civilized society.

"We appeal to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, because given the financial challenges being faced by them, there should be a revamp of policy for the transporters on every front," Khan said. 

He also said that the transporters have already suffered a lot, especially in the last two years. “The government must show serious concern towards the issues being faced by the transporters, which have been worsened due to the wrong policies of the previous governments.

“Why did the government shift the bus stand at Batmaloo to Parimpora, which is spread over an area of only 37 kanals of land? The Batmaloo bus stand is spread over 109 kanals, so there was no need to shift the stand to an area with less space. Another issue is that these transporters had to remain off the roads in the two consecutive lockdowns of 2019 and 2020. These are serious issues and the Government must consider their genuine demands. The strike will not only affect the common passengers, but will bring to a screeching halt the whole economy, which is already on ventilator, “he said.

The Kashmir Traders Manufacturer Federation (KTMF) spokesperson Farhan Kitab said that the transporters cannot bear the extra burden of taxes as they are already going through an economic crisis.

"The importance of these transporters cannot be overstated, as they not only connect the common people of JK, but also generate employment which is an important component of economic activity," he said.