Mudassir Kuloo
Srinagar, Feb 3: Governor Satya Pal Malik Sunday appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rein-in airline companies, who exploit Kashmiris during winters.
“I want to put forth a demand on behalf of Kashmiri people that during winter our people get stuck and airlines give ticket for Rs 28,000 (from Delhi and back). In Rs 28,000, one can go and come back from Dubai,” Malik said in his welcoming address to Prime Minister at SKICC here. “They (airline companies) exploit Kashmiris when Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remains closed. I appeal you to take measures so that the air companies don’t exploit people by increasing airfare,” the Governor said.
Malik said there was a need to make the airlines understand and the fares need to be reduced.“What would be more injustice than this? How tourism will increase (in the state)? How will the state progress?” he asked.
He said there have been instances when students need to go to other places for exams and people who have travel due to urgent needs.“Once we got a plane for the defence (for taking out the people from Srinagar to attend to urgent work). But in other days, they (airlines) are not ready to reduce any money (air fare),” he said.
Malik said during the winter season roads get closed and the whole administration is engaged in taking all the possible steps to ensure nobody suffers.
“This (checking predatory pricing by airlines) is my only demand and I expect that you (Modi) will fulfil this after reaching Delhi,” the Governor demanded.
He said that panchayat and urban local bodies polls were held peacefully in the state. “The elections were violence free unlike the earlier polls.”
He said that government wanted equitable development of all three regions of the state.“We work for development of all three regions of the state on the directives of Prime Minister. When Narendra Modi told me that I will be appointed as Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, I was reluctant. But
Narendra Modi told me to reach to people, address grievances of people, and eradicate corruption in the state,” he said. “We work under your guidance I know how much you love Kashmir,” he added.
