Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 29: The J&K National Conference chief spokesperson and in-charge Constituency Zadibal, Tanvir Sadiq on Monday expressed concern over the plight of artisans, saying the apathy of the incumbent government has brought most of them to the brink of starvation.
This, he said, while visiting various areas of Zadibal constituency, where he made brief stopovers at various places to meet with the poor artisans associated with paper-mâché, shawl, chain stitch, carpet, and wood carving who have long been yearning to have their issues addressed.
“Unfortunately, in the past 8 years, these artisans received no relief from the government or in approved loan restructuring. The only respite came from the Omar Abdullah government, offering loans under a special scheme for small-time paper machine units. However, their dreams were shattered in 2014 floods, as their homes and working units were devastated,” he said.
Tanvir said it is a criminal apathy that the sector which till date had always been tax free is levied with heavy illogical and unjustified taxes thereby heralding the death of this sector. “The successive governments since 2014 have been hell bent on bringing the crowning glory of J&K to its last throes,” he added.
The party spokesperson said the incumbent government has failed to understand the need of understanding and acknowledging Kashmir’s socio-economic realities.
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