Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 24: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today alleged that “deliberate” attempts have been made over the past several years to “weaken” Kashmir’s Horticulture industry.
Without naming anyone, she accused successive Governments since 2014 of failing to deliver, stressing that those making tall claims are themselves responsible for the hardships faced by people.
“If anyone has broken the backbone of the economy, it is them. For the last several years, the sector has been made to take a hit. Apples from outside are being prioritized, while Kashmir’s own sector is being weakened,” she told reporters at Arwani village of Kulgam district after inaugurating newly constructed New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC).
Underscoring that horticulture is the mainstay of Kashmir’s economy, Itoo said: “If people in Kashmir have got anything, it is because of horticulture. Those making claims today are responsible for the situation we face.”
She also criticized the condition of infrastructure, particularly the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which remained closed and affected the fruit growers further.
“Earlier, we used to hear claims the highway was better, but with just a spell of rain it got damaged. This shows what has happened in the last nine years, especially after 2014.”
Since 2014, she demanded, the works of the Governments in power must be investigated to know why roads get damaged and why protection bunds do not withstand rains.
Referring to the 2014 floods, Itoo said that Omar Abdullah worked extensively after the floods, but nothing has been done since then.
“This NTPHC has been completed at a cost of Rs 2.71 crore and handed over to the people. Regarding the shortage of doctors and staff, I have directed officials to take necessary measures so that residents receive better patient care,” she said.
Itoo said that establishing these health facilities is part of the larger vision of the Government to ensure quality, accessible and affordable health care facilities are available at the grassroots level.
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