Srinagar June 22: Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said on Saturday that there is a lack of visible development and infrastructure in Anantnag town in south Kashmir.
“There are hardly any visible changes on the ground with regard to development and infrastructure building. The tall promises that have been made often by the administration are yet to be fulfilled,” he said while interacting with a public delegation from the town.
“The government apathy has crossed the limits as the area lacks infrastructure and other facilities despite being vast in size and population,” he added.
The delegation, according to a CPI(M) statement, expressed serious concern over the deteriorated healthcare facilities of MMABM District Hospital, which is now a part of GMC Anantnag. It said that despite the doctors being available in the healthcare centre, the hospital lacks the advanced equipment vis-a-vis Cardiology, Neurology and Gastroenterology, besides the Cancer centre.
The delegation expressed resentment on the economic front when the administration is showing over activity in the tourism sector which contributes only 7 to 8 percent of the economy of J&K, essentially under activities in the main vibrant sectors which have longevity and sustainability, while for Anantnag district it is just 5 percent, the statement said, adding, “The main sector agriculture and its allied belts seem to be deliberately ignored, which has the potential to shown economic growth and generate employment.”
On the environmental front, the delegation said the administration has not shown keen interest in the preservation and conservation of the fragile ecology of the district.
“The employment graph of Anantnag as a whole and the Anantnag town in particular is going ballistically high,” it said. “The roads, lanes and bylanes of Anantnag town are completely dilapidated and the outlook of this historical town symbolises that of the dark ages.”
The statement said the happiness index of the town is drastically going down, the business of traders is on dip and the town lacks the facilities of a cricket stadium and community centre. “In a nutshell, the problems of Islamabad town are bigger than its size,” it added.
Tarigami demanded a comprehensive package of funds for the development of the Anantnag area to mitigate the sufferings and hardships of the people.
