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Expenditure enrages Valleyites

SANA ALTAF. Dated: 9/5/2013 12:02:19 AM

SRINAGAR, Sep 4: As the state government gears up to host the controversial musical concert of Zubin Mehta on September 7 while trying to beef up security and create a spick and span look, displeasure of the Valleyites only seem to be increasing.
The expenditure made by the government for the concert has not gone down well with people who have begun questioning government’s concern for masses. They allege that the government prefers spending on useless programs while ignoring grave problems of people.
“Our roads are dug out and not completed for years because government says they have no money. Where did this money come from?” says Masood Ahmad, a lecturer.
He said his village in Kupwara has been longing for a middle school for years but authorities always defer it for the lack of funds.
“If the same amount would have been spent on the construction of small schools in some villages, it would have been better.”
A senior medico wishing anonymity expressed surprise over the insensitivity of the government to masses.
“Our hospitals lack life saving drugs, they don’t have facilities for critical care, no ambulances due to the lack of funds. But government has money for concerts. I wish some money could have been spent to purchase well equipped ambulances for hospitals,” medico said.
He added that health care in the Valley is in most need of funds as it adversely affects people.
“Be it an amount of Rs one lakh or Rs 10 crores, every single penny makes a difference. Rs 3.5 crores is a good amount.”
Health is the last priority of the government in Kashmir. Unless government is shaken by outbreaks or public outcry, the dismal and deteriorating health care hardly matters for the government, a medico added.
Meanwhile, all arrangements are being made by the government to make the concert of Zubin Mehta a grand success. The venue, Shalimar Garden, is being embellished. The facilities of lodging and transportation are specially being taken care of.
An employee in the department said ecology of world renowned tourists places of Kashmir are suffering due to the lack of money.
“We are heading towards an ecological disaster. The plans and programs are not being implemented as government makes excuses over lack of funds. Couldn’t this money be used to save even a single tourist spot?” the employee said.
Javaid Ahmad Tak, Chairman Humanity Welfare Organization, a helpline NGO for disabled persons said they have been pressing the government since years to start schools for disabled and visually impaired children.
“But not a penny has been spent on them. It hurts to see this attitude of the government. It is ready to spend crores for elite crowd and not a penny for destitutes and disabled.”