CCI hails J&K cabinet projects; flags key trade, industry issues

JAMMU: In a meeting of the Office Bearers of Chamber of Commerce & Industry Arun Gupta its President expressed gratitude to the J&K UT Cabinet headed by Hon’ble Chief Minister of J&K Omar Abdullah for giving nod to major projects including the outsourcing of Mantalai Assets pertaining to outsourcing of maintenance, operation of Yoga and Wellness centre and Aparna Ashram at Mantali and development of IT/Innovation Park in Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology.  While raising the issue relating to Sabzi Mandi & Fruit Mandi Narwal Arun Gupta said the Fruit Mandi & Sabzi Mandi were developed to promote the Agriculture & Horticulture sector, and the traders were allotted undeveloped land on lease basis. The traders, with their own resources and also by taking loans from banks & other financial institutions, developed their shops on the allotted land. Now their lease period has expired and they are facing a lot of problems to run their business smoothly, we request to renew their lease deeds without any further delay. He further said that the shopkeepers of Shiva Market Railway Station were allotted space on lease basis after taking full premium amount, but their lease deeds have not been executed till date.   Arun Gupta further said that shopkeepers of Bahu Plaza are facing lot of hardships & undue harassment for no fault on their part. They were allotted shops after taking the full premium amount and they are paying regular rent of allotted shops. He asked to eliminate the bottlenecks at the earliest. Arun Gupta also pointed out that the JDA & J&K Housing Board were established to make development and also to develop new Residential Colonies and Commercial Markets. But they are not doing the assigned jobs. Arun Gupta said there are a number of existing units who are either closed or are at the verge of closure due to Govt apathy. He urged the Govt to take care of these units.  While highlighting the issues pertaining to Automobile Sector Arun Gupta said that there is urgent need to revisit the EV Policy for J&K to include Strong Hybrid & CNG vehicles in the said Policy for the larger interests of environmental sustainability & public convenience.