The Indian administered Kashmir may face unrest during the harsh winter months owing to the prevailing gas crisis in the region. India News
Srinagar, Nov 14 / NationalTurk – The region has been hit by gas crisis after Indian government capped supply of subsidized cylinders per household. According to the new gas policy, only six subsidized cylinders at Rs 425 INR would be supplied to consumers throughout India and Indian administered Kashmir.
As per the new policy, the gas connection papers of the subscribers had to be verified afresh and only after being given “Green” or “Red” cards can the subscribers get subsidized gas.
Gas shortage adds to the miseries of the people in Kashmir
Following the imposition of new gas policy, people in Indian administered Kashmir have been facing grave hardships in getting their gas connection documents re-verified. There are only 43 gas dealers in the region against the need of 1700. This shortage in ratio is adding to the miseries of the people. Large queues of people can be seen outside the gas outlets in Kashmir.
“I hired a labourer and gave him Rs 350 to wait in a queue and submit my documents for gas connection,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a resident of old city of Jamia Masjid.
The LPG dealers have said that re-verifying the documents is a cumbersome process and it would take them months to complete the verification process.
“We have strict instruction to issue LPG refills after proper verification only,” said Jagmohan Singh Raina, General Secretary of All Kashmir LPG Dealers Association.
He said though consumers are turning up in good number for updation of their blocked connections, but 30 per cent consumers in the region are yet to get their connections activated.
The LPG dealers and people have been warning that in case the verification process of all consumers is not completed soon, there is a threat of unrest during winters, when the region remains cut off from rest of the world.
Srinagar-Jammu Highway to be remained closed during snowfall
“The 296-kms long Srinagar-Jammu highway, only road link connecting Indian administered Kashmir with rest of the world remains closed during snowfall. It remained closed for more past of the winters last year owing to heavy snowfall. If the same happens this time, then there is every likelihood that Kashmir with witness unrest during winters,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a retired teacher.
It is pertinent to mention here that Chief Minister of the region Omar Abdullah had recently stated that Indian administered Kashmir cannot be equated with other parts of the India and sought relaxation in the cap on subsidized cylinders for the region.
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Faiz Ahmad, NationalTurk India News
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