J&K govt failed to alleviate people’s winter hardships: Hakeem

Srinagar, Dec 22: Chairman, People’s Democratic Front (PDF) Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen on Sunday expressed serious concerns over the ongoing hardships faced by the people of Kashmir due to a severe crisis in power, water and food supplies.
In a statement issued here, Yaseen said the administration has failed to alleviate the suffering of residents, particularly during the harsh winter season known as ‘Chillai Kalan’.
“The people had hoped that the new government would mobilise additional resources to offer some relief amid the ongoing crisis. Unfortunately, that has not happened,” he said.
Hakeem said that while power outages during winter are commonplace, the current situation is exacerbated by food scarcity and skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, which have left many families struggling for basic necessities.
Called for urgent action, the former minister urged the government to procure more power from the central power grid to ensure that even the most vulnerable consumers receive consistent electricity, especially during the biting cold of ‘Chillai Kalan’.
“In a welfare state, the government is duty-bound to provide all basic services to its citizenry. These services should not be viewed solely through the prism of profit and loss,” he said.
The PDF Chairman further lamented the dire conditions in remote areas such as Khag, Khansahib and Doodhpathri, where he claimed the quality of life is reminiscent of the Stone Age compared to that in cities and towns. He called upon the administration to reactivate market monitoring squads to regulate prices and prevent unscrupulous traders from exploiting consumers.
Yaseen also dismissed government claims of a tourism revival in Kashmir, saying the lack of basic amenities like reliable electricity would deter visitors. “Who would want to travel to Srinagar without any electricity?” he asked.