KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Dec 21: Despite government claims that adequate arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of Muharram, the ground situation narrates a dismal tale of official apathy.
Nodal officers not appointed
Three days of Muharram have passed, but Srinagar, Budgam, and Baramulla district –with a high concentration of Shia population - have not yet appointed nodal officers to monitor the Muharram arrangements.
Sugar not available
According to reliable sources, sugar is not available in many government stores. A delegation of Shia associations told this newspaper that the government has not allotted special Muharram quota this year. They said that they had contacted Minister for Food and Supplies, but “he rejected to allot the special quota”.
Pertinently, government in the past used to provide special Muharram quota, which included Sugar, kerosene oil and rice to Shia majority areas.
Erratic power supply
Despite government assurance that uninterrupted power supply will be provided to Shia areas during Muharram days, frequent power fluctuations have annoyed the people. Residents of Zadibal, Nawpora, in district Srinagar and Bemina, Ichgam, Naraspora, Sepdan in Budgam district have complained that power plays hide and seek in their areas. They said that frequent complaints to the authorities have fallen on deaf ears.
Dilapidated roads
Decaying roads continue to be a serious problem. Even some procession routes, particularly in Bemina, Ichgam and Chadoora in district Budgam are in dilapidated condition. So far, no effort has been made by the district administration to repair the roads. Pertinently, Budgam district has got a major share of the Muharram funds.
The delegation also said that PHE department has not yet replaced the damaged water tanks in many Imam Baras in Budgam district, despite repeated requests. Moreover, non-functional water connections have also not been restored.
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