Irfan A Mir
Srinagar, Mar 31 (KNS): Several uptown areas of Srinagar city have reportedly facing acute hardships due to non-availability of milk supplies amid restrictions imposed by government in wake of Covid-19 outbreak in J&K. Meanwhile several milk suppliers appealed authorities to provide moving passes to their vehicles so that they will ensure milk supply in parts of Valley.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), it has been reported that in view of current situation in Valley, several areas are surviving without having milk stock and have appealed authorities ensure the service in their areas.
Reports said that several uptown areas of Srinagar city are facing several privations including non-availability of milk supply in their areas.
Several callers told KNS that in wake of current situation when government has imposed “precautionary restrictions” to keep COVID-19 away, residents of several areas are suffering incalculably.
They said shops in their respective areas had already gone out of stock as the lockdown has entered into 13th day on Tuesday.
Musavir Tasaduq, a caller said “Since lockdown has been enforced in Valley, we are unable to receive milk from milk-men as forces demand special moving passes from them which authorities have failed to provide them so far”.
He also said, “People are suffering badly due to continuous lockdown as existing stock in homes have started to finish”.
Meanwhile several milk suppliers told KNS that they are unable to supply milk to consumers in current situation.
“Whenever we tried to move out, we were stopped by forces asked to show special moving passes. We approached administration in this regard but in one or other pretext, our pleas were ignored”, a milk supplier said.
When KNS contacted higher officials they said, “The matter is in their consideration and will be taken up as there are bulk of issues already in queue”.
Pertinently Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir zone Vijay Kumar earlier exclusively told KNS that the matter has already been taken up with administration.
“We have already took up the issue with administration and asked them to ensure free movement of milk suppliers in current situation while issuing passes”, IGP said.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandorang Pole while talking to KNS said "Vegetable and milk suppliers will be given passes from Deputy Commissioner's office but maintained it will be for very minimal person and on location basis".
He also said that stationary and ATM's are smoothly functioning and to ensure further ease to people, I will take up the issue of mobile ATM's with J&K Bank officials. (KNS)