Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 11: The delegations of Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS), All Jammu and Kashmir Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA) and Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Jammu Chapter, called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and took up the issues related to the concerns of Jammu region, transport and trade fraternity here today.
A delegation of Dogra Sadar Sabha led by its president Th Gulchain Singh Charak (former Minister), comprising prominent citizens called on the Chief Minister at his official residence today. The delegation consisted of senior Army officers, bureaucrats, educationists, artists and heads of various civil society organisations.
After a brief introduction, the delegation apprised the CM about various pressing demands and burning issues of the Jammu region. The CM gave them a very patient hearing and interacted very amicably. Gulchain Singh also took the opportunity to apprise the CM about their 120th Annual General Council meeting scheduled for last week of December.
Main points presented before the CM included, restoration, repair, preservation/ utilisation of the palaces and proposed relocation of its Archives. Establishment of a Duggar TV Channel at Jammu, revival of Jammu Festival, enhancing ex- gratia payment of war widows to bring it at par with other UTs/ States. In addition Development of Ranbir Canal face, building for Degree College at Bishnah, development at Patnitop and other tourism sites for survival of local hotel, transport and hospitality industry as also long pending point of removing the blockade from Gen NC Vij Road and completion of the long work of the Kathar-Bridge Bal Sahyog Road pending since 2011.
The delegation included Maj Gen Sunita Kapoor, the working president JKESL cum Co-convenor Mahila Wing of DSS, Col Karan Singh vice president, GA Khwaja gen secy, Col Dr Virendra Sahi, Gambhir Dev Singh, Amanat Ali Shah, president Anjumane Imamia, Samardev Singh, Narinder Singh Jamwal, Arvinder Singh Amn, Ravi Singh Slathia and others.
Second delegation of All J&K Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA) led by its Chairman, Karan Singh Wazir called on Chief Minister at Jammu today and projected the issues of transporters and other operators.
The delegation, including Mohinder Singh (Chief Patron), Vijay Singh Chib (President), Ranjeet Singh (President, Tanker Union), Inderpal Singh, Deepak and Labh Singh, highlighted the pressing need for immediate action to address the woes of the transport sector. They stressed the need for a Comprehensive Transport Policy. They demanded to formulate a structured transport policy focusing on modern needs, such as the development of Transport Nagar, terminals, and inter-state bus stands. They said the introduction of 100 e-buses in each division under the Smart City initiative, while a step forward, has faced criticism for lack of coordination with existing transport stakeholders. They emphasized the need for the Smart City project authorities to consult with transport leaders to create a structured timetable and operational plan for these buses. They also stressed for curbing illegal commercial operations of vehicles.
The CM acknowledged the critical role of the transport sector in the UT’s economic framework and assured the delegation that their concerns would be prioritized.
Another delegation led by its Chairman Rahul Sahai along with senior members- Samar Dev Charak, Anil Sharma, Ashish Jain, Raj Dua, presented a detailed memorandum to Chief Minister addressing key areas crucial for the development of JKUT.
The memorandum outlined urgent measures to support local industries, emphasizing the need for a level playing field through special packages, timely disbursement of Rs 350 crores under the IDS 2017 scheme, and expediting the clearance of 1,450 pending cases under the NCSS 2021 incentives. Furthermore, the Indian Chamber of Commerce Jammu chapter proposed an extension of the NCSS 2021 package with an increased budget, reserving at least 40% of benefits for local entrepreneurs to ensure inclusive industrial growth.
Recognizing the transformative potential of sports and exhibitions for economic growth of Jammu, Sahai proposed the construction of two new stadia in Jammu and a larger state-of-the-art indoor sports facility.
He emphasized the need for an advisory committee comprising experts from sports, tourism, industry and civil society to guide infrastructure development and the creation of an annual sports calendar featuring major events hosted across Jammu & Kashmir. Sahai also called for empowering sports associations, promoting golf tourism, and expediting the completion of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Kathua.
Sahai reiterated the ICC’s readiness to collaborate with the government, stating, “Our organization is always prepared to shoulder any responsibility that the government deems fit, ensuring the holistic development of Jammu & Kashmir.”
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