Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 30: National Conference today asked the Central and the State Governments why the Srinagar-Leh road wasn’t being thrown open to traffic despite reports that the Zojilla pass was now open for traffic.
Several delegations from Kargil and Leh called on NC Provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani at Party headqaurters here and said the delay in opening the road was causing great inconvenience to people as the authorities were seemingly waiting for a `photo-op’ ceremony before opening the route.
The NC Provincial president said such a crucial route that is the only connection between Ladakh and the rest of the State should not be held hostage to photo-opportunities and ceremonies as the inadvertent delay had a direct bearing on the day-to-day lives of the people and the local economy.
“There are various videos on social media which clearly show the route is now through for traffic but one wonders why the authorities are waiting to declare it open. Apparently the delay is because of a photo-op ceremony that the Government wants – which is unfortunate. The people cannot be held hostage to the Government’s PR events”, the NC Provincial president said while meeting various delegations from Kargil and Leh led by party office bearers and leaders.
The National Conference Provincial president also met various delegations of Government contractors from the State who apprised him of the continued delay in the release of pending payments to them to the tune of nearly a thousand crores. The NC Provincial chief expressed disappointment at the confusion, indifference and casual approach of the Government in resolving this issue and said despite the revocation of the PAO System the pending liabilities were not being cleared by the Government.
“Now I’ve been given to understand that the Government has decided to release funds to clear only 15% of the pending liabilities for now. This is yet another disappointment and indicates the absolute collapse of the State’s Financial Systems which in turn has a dilapidating effect on the State’s development and economy”, the NC Provincial president said.
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