Srinagar being neglected by politicians and bureaucrats: VCC

Srinagar, Jun 9 (UNI) Alleging that the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, was being neglected and discriminated in all developmental works and other activities, the Valley Citizens Council (VCC) has decided to launch a massive awareness programme to educate people of their responsibilities and rights.

Talking to reporters after organising '' conscience rally'' here today, the VCC general secretary Imdad Saqi said Srinagar was being neglected and discriminated for the past many years in all developmental and other activities.

He said the ''crown'' of the sub-continent was being converted into a garbage dump with gutted ruins in historic Lal Chowk, dirty open drains, garbage heaps everywhere and traffic mismanagement.

The river Jehlum is polluted and famed Dal Lake dying, he said adding that the city is being treated as a rented house by the politicians and bureaucrats.

Mr Saqi questioned the claim of the government about spending billions of rupees on different development works in the city and alleged that the claim is restricted to office files only.

In reply to a question he said the VCC was formed to preserve environment, culture, heritage and traditions besides taking up community based programmes for improving education system and monitoring development works in the interest of common citizen.

He said today's rally was a part of peoples movement to create awareness about the problems being faced by the people of the valley, particuarly in the Srinagar city.

Mr Saqi said the council has pledged to create awareness and people shpuld realise their responsibilities to prevent pollution, fight corruption, stop encroachments and other selfish activities from destroying the city and also make the officials answerable to public.

UNI