Srinagar, leader & former MLA M Yousuf Tarigami on Monday led a protest demonstration in Srinagar against the “privatization” of electricity, Railways and public transport.
The protestors, led by the CPI(M) leader, with banners assembled near the Press Enclave on Residency road by shouting slogans against the authorities for privatization of electricity, railways, PSEs, Public transport and installation of Smart meters to the households.
The protestors alleged that such moves will only compound and aggravate problems already faced by the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to media persons, Tarigami said the privatization of public transport will have a direct effect on the pockets of the common people by increasing their fare.
He alleged that the Government of India is also selling railways to private companies which is not acceptable to us.
“A bill to privatize the electricity department has also been introduced in the Parliament and if that has been implemented it will have a direct effect on Kashmir water resources which are producing the electricity”, the CPI(M) leader said.
The former MLA also alleged that smart meters have been installed without providing electricity to the people in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tarigami said electricity is being produced by the water resources of J&K and demanded that it should be provided to the People of Jammu and Kashmir on priority basis.
He also demanded that by installing Smart meters, the authorities putting an extra burden on the people of J&K should be withdrawn.
Tarigami said “that the central government snatched all our rights by turning a state into the Union Territory”, adding “Home Minister Amit Shah announced in the parliament that J&K will be restored with a state status but these people here celebrate how the crown of J&K was removed recently”.
The CPI-M leader said that the authorities issued an order recently that no government employee can participate in protest strikes which even during the British rule was not done. He said this is being done only to scare the employees.
He said even during British rule, employees were protesting for genuine demands.
Tarigami said that several committees were established but were not able to take any decision about the casual labourers and daily wagers so far in Jammu and Kashmir.