Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today sought the intervention of the Union Defence Minister to ensure speedy disposal of land compensation and rental cases pertaining to the assets under the use of Army in Kashmir.According to the statement issued, “There are hundreds of cases where the compensation/rentals for the land under Army use have been settled but the money is not being disbursed among the people due to procedural delays,” senior PDP leader and Member Parliament Tariq Hameed Karra said while addressing people in Ganderbal Assembly segment. He said the Union Defence Minister, Arun Jaitley should take a call on the matter and order speedy disbursement of the land compensation/rent as, for most of the people this is the only source of income.Expressing dismay over the curtailment of flight timings at the Srinagar International Airport, Karra sought the intervention of the Defense Minister in the matter so that the tourist season doesn’t get affected due to the decision of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Karra said given the fact that June, July and August is the peak tourist season in Kashmir, the IAF decision to begin runway renovation at this time seems to be an unwise move as it will jeopardize the tourist arrivals to Kashmir which is already facing a brunt due to excessive air travel charges. Referring to the local issues of Ganderbal constituency, Karra said that several areas especially in Sherpathri belt are facing acute drinking water and irrigation water scarcity and the government must address the issue on priority.He said the locals complain that no water is being released from the power canal for the irrigation purposes severely hitting the agriculture activity in the area. Senior PDP leader Qazi Mohammad Afzal also addressed the public meetings.