[cr-india] Kashmir Situation

[Ram Bhat]

It is unfortunate that disaster has struck in Kashmir.
It has been reported
<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Massive-rescue-operations-on-in-flood-hit-areas-of-JK-lakhs-still-stranded/articleshow/42085525.cms>
that telecommunications infrastructure is down

Out of curiosity, I revisited the data I&B has posted (as on 1st July 2014)
on rejected applicants, those under consideration and GOPA holders.
3 rejected (at least two of these were from Kashmir, not sure about third
one), one under consideration (NGO in Jammu region but in Kathua, close to
the border), and none in the GOPA holder list. One of the rejected stations
is a State Agricultural University.

The only one to have made it in the entire state is Pir Panchal, a NGO with
base in Jammu city - a NGO working mostly on the issue of Kashmiri Pandits.
According to their website - "Our struggle will continue till Pilgrimage of
Sharda temple in POK Kasmir is restored and Sharda University
re-established"

We really should insist that every time someone is rejected, a clear reason
should be given on why a particular application has been rejected. Of
course, there should also be transparency and reasoning as to why some one
is accepted but that's much harder to achieve.

I suspect a a couple of radio stations in Kashmir area would have been
handy at this stage for rehabilitation and relief works. Bad enough that
these applications have been blocked. What's worse is that one is still not
allowed to deploy emergency radio to help citizens in time of need. Been
six years since Kosi floods in 2008 and nothing we can do but remain mute
spectators.

best,

---
Ram
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