THE Jammu & Kashmir state committee of the CPI(M) has asked the state and the central governments to immediately depute several teams of officers to assess the losses caused throughout the state by the untimely heavy snowfall and provide due compensation to the affected people, especially the  fruit growers of the valley. In a statement issued from Srinagar on March 14, the CPI(M) said that the Kashmir valley, and especially the upper reaches where fruit cultivation is the main source  of livelihood, have been  hit very badly, resulting in great losses.  Scores of houses and hutments have been destroyed and washed away by the heavy snow and torrential rains. Referring to the statements issued by the administration and some cabinet ministers in which they have sought to portray a rosy picture of the post-snowfall Kashmir, the CPI(M) described these statements as contrary to the real ground situation. While heavy and untimely snowfall is not new to Kashmir and the weather forecast had already predicted such a situation, the administration had not prepared itself for the eventuality and was caught napping while the snow and storm caused havoc.  The CPI(M) state committee also pointed out that successive governments in the state so far have failed to chalk out a comprehensive strategy for tackling the emergency situations like the present one. It castigated the government for its failure to restore power supply and prepare contingency measures for hospitals and other such institutions, thus creating great and additional hardships to the patients. The task of snow clearance on major road networks across the valley has been very slow, impeding the vehicular and pedestrian movement. The committee expressed deep sorrow and sympathy for the families who lost their near and dear ones due to the disaster. It urged upon the government to pay due compensation, without any delay, to the next of kin of those who lost their lives and rehabilitate the families who have been left houseless. Those who are still trapped in snow avalanches need to be evacuated on war footing. The committee referred to the almost non-existent drainage system of Srinagar and other major towns of the valley and said that despite earmarking and spending huge amounts under the Srinagar master plan, the drainage system remains one of the worst, causing great misery to its residents and the tourists. ON INSURANCE, PENSION SCHEMES FOR WORKERS ON March 17, M Y Tarigami, state president of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and MLA, demanded immediate formulation of pension and insurance policies for the working class on the pattern of other states of the country. Addressing a one-day convention of construction workers in Kathua on the day, Tarigami said the working class of our society spends their youth in building the nation in different ways, but in the old age they are left on the mercy of circumstances. “People of the working class toil in the fields to grow food and build the public and private infrastructures, but it is shameful that in absence of any social security scheme, they are subjected to tremendous hardships in their old age,” he lamented. Emphasising the need to initiate a comprehensive drive to register the construction workers in the state, Tarigami said the process of their immediate registration is a must in order to formulate proper pension and insurance schemes for them. Cautioning against the communal and divisive forces who he said are trying to divide the working masses on the basis of religion and region, Tarigami said, “working class is an important section of the society and they should join hands for their rights and give a befitting reply to the communal forces.” Regretting that the political elite are exhibiting grave negligence towards the working class, the CITU state president said the exploitation of the working class will end only when they get united. He said the farmers and labourers form the very foundation of the society, emphasising that they should get united in their fight for their rights. Speaking on the occasion, senior CITU leader Sham Prasad Kesar said the government must introduce the online registration system for the construction workers. “The present process of registration and claims is cumbersome; there is immediate need to introduce the online mode of this process in order to get rid of unnecessary delays and red tape,” he said. He also demanded minimum wages and social security for the ASHA, Anganwadi and mid-day meal workers. Welcoming M Y Tarigami and the convention delegates, CITU state general secretary Om Prakash said that this convention was aimed to sensitise the working class about their rights and to get them on a common platform for a comprehensive struggle. To provide a platform to the construction workers of Kathua district, a Bhawan Nirman Kamgar Union has been formed and it would be led by a fifteen member committee. The Union has decided to affiliate itself to the CITU.  Ajit Kumar, Raj Kumar and  Jagan Kishore were elected as its president, general secretary and treasurer respectively. Senior CITU leaders Jagdish Sharma, Rai Kumar and Banarsi Das also spoke on the occasion.