JAMMU & KASHMIR EXPRESSING serious concern over the erratic power supply and scarcity of essential commodities including rationed food, hospital supplies and LPG in the Kashmir valley, CPI(M) state secretary and MLA, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, has asked the government to ensure that people in Kashmir are not neglected and sufficient arrangements are made before snowfall starts in the valley. In a statement issued from Srinagar on November 17, Tarigami said the prevailing poor power supply has virtually left the life in the valley out of gear. The people here are facing tremendous hardships due non-availability of ration, sugar, kerosene oil and LPG. “Not only the freezing temperature but also the unscheduled power cuts and inadequate supply of LPG cylinders have further aggravated the situation. The authorities seem hardly bothered about the problems faced by the common people in the valley,” the CPI(M) leader remarked. He said that, unfortunately, the same situation is being repeated every winter soon after the durbar moves to Jammu and the people of the valley are left helpless. “People here are being devoid of basic amenities. No power schedule is being followed at the ground level, and even metered areas are facing long and unscheduled power cuts, much to the annoyance of public,” he added. The CPI(M) leader said that to meet the challenges of the winter’s vagaries, the higher-ups in the administration need to ensure better coordination between different departments, especially those providing essential services. “Though an early weather warning system is in place, weather alerts do not serve any purpose in the absence of the required resource mobilisation,” he said. The CPI(M) leader also asked the state government to meet the hospital requirements and services for all specialty departments before the snowfall starts in the valley. “With chilly winters, there is a surge in different diseases in Kashmir and therefore the government should also review its arrangements and take stock of supplies in hospitals, especially in rural areas of Kashmir,” Tarigami observed.