Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 13: Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu felicitated the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, at an impressive function organized at the Chamber House, here today.
Secretary Housing & Urban Development, Satesh Nehru, Chief Engineer PDD, Shehnaz Goni, Commissioner JMC, Kiran Wattal, President, CCI, Rakesh Gupta, Secretary General, Arun Gupta, Senior Vice President CCI, Sham Lal Langer and large number of prominent industrialists and businessmen of Jammu city were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the PDP-BJP Government was committed to provide transparent and accountable Government to the people of the State, adding that the present dispensation would take concrete initiatives to transform the socio-economic growth in the State by taking on board all the stakeholders. He said CCI plays pivotal role in the economic growth of the State and Government will address their all outstanding issues. He stressed the need for close coordination between the CCI and Government for speedy disposal of their problems.
Referring to the tourism projects in Jammu, Dr. Nirmal Singh said that Jammu city is a hub of tourist activities and Government will focus on developing the modern and durable infrastructure according to the needs of the tourists. He said all the tourism related projects will be vigorously pursued and completed in a time bound manner. He said the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has already directed the officers to identify new tourist spots in Jammu division to promote it as a separate tourist destination.
Reacting to the demand of the traders regarding revision of Master Plan of Jammu city, the Deputy Chief Minister said that Government was contemplating to develop Jammu and Srinagar as smart cities. He also assured that new Master Plan for Greater Jammu will also be framed soon and before its finalizations the views of various stakeholders will be sought. He said that he will discuss all the issues concerning the CCI with the concerned officers and address them on priority.
Earlier, President CCI Rakesh Gupta said that this is an historic opportunity for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to see a Coalition Government of PDP and BJP for the first time in the history of the State. He said people especially the trading community have great hopes from the new dispensation and appealed to address the issues concerning the community.
The demands which were projected by the CCI before the Dy. Chief Minister included, regularization of shops at Warehouse, Nehru Market and Transport Yard, revision of Jammu Master Plan, development of parking places, public convenience in the city, regularization of JDA shops and execution of lease deeds, waver of interest amount of land housing the Chamber House, allotment of land for business club and improvement of power infrastructure in the industrial areas.