Srinagar, Jan 10 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir National Conference member of parliament from north Kashmir, Mohammad Akbar Lone has written to the Union Minister for Rural Development Department for including snow clearance under MGNREGA work in J&K and other hilly states and UTs of the country. 

In his official communication, a copy of which lies with Kashmir News Service (KNS), Lone has said that if the execution of snow clearance work is brought within the preview of MGNREGA, it will not only help the administration to clear the snow from the rural roads and link roads in time, but it will also serve the purpose of the scheme by providing means of livelihood to the local masses. 

“Rural roads , especially link roads and lanes are not cleared for weeks and by employing local youth we can protect the metallic and macadamized roads from getting damaged. Pertinently, machines like JCBs are hired by the government in many rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir to clear snow as there is dearth of professional snow clearance machines. JCBs in many areas damage road surfaces and are not reaching out to every village of J&K" reads the communique. 

Notably, the Jammu and Kashmir RTI Movement had requested the MP about the hardships people face in remote areas of J&K as snow clearance machines are not able to reach every remote village. RTI Movement had urged the MP to press for the inclusion of snow clearance work under MGNREGA. 

Meanwhile, RTI movement chairman, Raja Muzaffar said that he was thankful to Akbar Lone for taking the request positively and writing to the Union Minister for redressal of the issue. 

He also said that he was sure that the Union government will include snow clearance work under MGNREGA as people in remote areas are jobless during winters and snow machines are not able to reach every village in time. 

"MGNREGA is the best option to clear snow from the roads and give employment to the people especially the rural youth," he said. (KNS)