Kashmiri Pandits neglected, suffer in rehab colony at Veerwan
DANISH TARIQ
Under the Prime Ministers Special Package of Employment for Kashmiri Pandits (PMSPEKP), established a colony for Kashmiri Pandit migrants in 2010 at Veerwan area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district which is 05kms away from main town, the colony is in shambles as it lacks all basic facilities, where 150 families are residing on shared basis and some living on rent basis outside colony.
The Veerwan Pandit Colony lacks all the basic amenities which was supposed to be here for these migrants who were accommodated here under the Prime Minister Special Package of Employment.
Avtar Krishan Bhat, Colony President said, we don’t have basic facilities like water,electricity, proper accommodation in the colony premises we have to travel at least 1km by foot to fetch the drinking water from nearby stream “quarters in which we are residing not constructed properly these are made up of sheets instead of concrete which create problem for us in all weather conditions” he added I have filed complain against every department PHE, Health, PDD in grievance cell but till now not any one of complaint has been redressal yet we are living in miserable conditions and left at the mercy of God.
Chaman Lal, Colony resident said, the colony has been neglected by government from every side “before 8years a step was taken by government to construct drinking water tank unfortunately the half work on tank is not completed yet, besides backside boundary fencing is not properly constructed. He further added we don’t have medical dispensary here for the inhabitants, no availability of ration depot and shops in the colony premises we go to the market to purchase the daily usage items, main town is 05kms away from the colony”.
A group of inhabitants said, we don’t have systematic process for garbage collection and no proper drainage system that leads to the hardship, sufferings during the rainy and winter season. They added there is no park or ground for children to play we suffer a lot due to electricity feeder cuts whileas the street lights of the colony are not working properly, we cannot roam freely across the colony after evening time.
We have already submitted complaints to the concerned administration but no positive response had seen from authorities we are living in miserable conditions we appeal to the authorities kindly provide us basic facilities so we don’t have to suffer in coming time we could feel safe and secure like other communities, said members of Veerwan Pandit Colony Committee (VPCC).
