CCI appeals for extension of amnesty to traders, industrialists

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 9: While welcoming the amnesty scheme for domestic power consumers/connections announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Administrative Council, the Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Jammu has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to announce a similar amnesty for the traders and industrialists as these sectors continue to suffer after being adversely affected during the peak Covid-19 pandemic period and is still struggling for their survival.
This was expressed during an emergency meeting of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry held under the chairmanship of Arun Gupta, president CCI at Chamber House here today.
Gupta said, “We wholeheartedly welcome the move of UT Govt waiving off interest and surcharge on domestic power connections by introducing amnesty scheme. However, we seek roll out of another amnesty scheme for the traders and industries power consumers so that the unit holders also get some relief on this front.”
CCI president stated that the Jammu Chamber has already raised this significant issue with the UT Administration a number of times, demanding power tariff amnesty scheme for the traders and industrial sector and are still waiting for rolling out of the scheme with great hope as it would go a long way in holding the hands of this vital sectors which is experiencing a very tough and testing time at present.
Gupta said that the traders and industrialists are trying to come out of Covid trauma after having suffered for more than two years on account of huge economic losses and theirs’ is a genuine case for granting of power amnesty scheme. He reiterated the CCI appeal to the LG led UT Administration to announce amnesty scheme for the traders and industrialist at the earliest.
At the same time Chamber requested the defaulting consumers to avail the benefits of this amnesty scheme and clear their outstanding dues within the prescribed period of 12 months as failure to do so will invite penalty and legal action under Electricity Act 2010.