Farmers, hoteliers dismayed
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 20: Various industrial as well as trade organizations and political leaders have welcomed the announcement of Lt Governor for sanctioning relief package of Rs 1350 crore for J&K.
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In a joint statement, Rattan Dogra, president, Association of Industries (regd.) Gangyal, Jatinder Aul, president Small Scale Industries Association, Digiana, and Deepak Dhawan, president, Birpur Industries Association all of whom are co-chairmen of Federation of Industries, Jammu have welcomed the J&K Government announcement to provide relief package for the ailing industry providing concession in fixed and minimum demand charges of their power bills, water bills and 5% interest subvention of their borrowings.
Local Micro and Small Industrial Sector appreciated the first step taken by the Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha to put the industry back on right track. It has kindled a ray of hope amongst the local industrial sector that their long pending issues and grievances shall also be suitably and favorably resolved as assured by the Lt. Governor in his meetings with the representatives of the local Micro and Small Industrial Sector of J&K UT, a joint statement issued by the representatives of industrial bodies here, today said.
A meeting of Bari Brahmana Industries Association, (BBIA) was held under the presidentship of Lalit Mahajan in the presence of Tarun Singla, senior vice president, Ajay Langer vice president, Viraaj Malhotra, general secretary, Rajesh Jain secretary and Vivek Singhal, treasurer BBIA and other members in which they welcomed the announcement of a relief package of Rs 1350 crore for Jammu and Kashmir announced by Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha today.
Members present in the meeting conveyed their heartiest compliments to Lieutenant Governor, for the announcement of relief package of Rs 1350 crore for Jammu and Kashmir for the revival of businesses in Union Territory in a bid to boost the business, Industry and the other ailing sectors suffered very badly since August 5, 2019 and present situation due to COVID-19.
Applauding Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for extending the much needed special relief package worth Rs 1350 crore for trouble ridden J&K UT, which is facing acute economic crunch due to disturbances and the recent halt in the socio-economic activity due to COVID-19 crisis, senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister, Kavinder Gupta said that it is time to once again breathe life into stalled tourism sector in J&K, which is one of the mainstays of the UT’s economy and also help Jammu to blossom as independent tourist hub by exploiting its scenic beauty and splendid religious destinations to the fullest.
In a statement issued here, the senior BJP leader said that the relief package will go a long way in boosting the business and the other ailing sectors in the UT of J&K thus bringing back smiles on the faces of people who suffered a lot while confronting so many issues including the traumatic terrorism in the last over three decades.
BJP J&K Executive Member, Raman Suri while welcoming the decision said, “Adherence to 137 demands of those involved in different business activities in Jammu and Kashmir, including travel, trade, tourism and transport, by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has come as a big relief. Waiving of 50% electricity as well as water demand charges for industry and commercial units too, will help businessmen to cope up during this hard time of COVID-19 pandemic”.
This reflects Government’s sensitivity towards business community, which is facing difficulties due to ongoing pandemic. Interest subvention of 5% for six months, partial waiver of fixed electricity charges for one year amounting to Rs 80 crore and waiver of water charges for six months costing Rs 25 crore are basic needs, which were projected by the business community.
Federation of All India Vyapar Mandal have complimented the Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha for announcing relief package of Rs 1350 crore for J&K. The Federation in a meeting today held under the presidentship of Sanjay Bansal said the relief package for business will prove a great for the business fraternity. Members also complimented K K Sharma, Advisor to Lt Governor for presenting the report of Committee to LG. Sandeep Mengi, vice president of the Federation, Arun Sabarwal its secretary, Ajay Ahuja , treasurer, media secretary, Puneet Arora, social media head, Prashant Khalon and others attended the meeting.
All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association has also welcomed the package. The Association held a meeting under the leadership of its chairman, Inderjeet Khajuria while welcoming the package, however, it expressed displeasure that the package has not considered the hotel industry’s demands. President of the Association Pawan Gupta said Tourism Sector particularly hoteliers are totally shocked and dismayed over the relief package announced in their favour as they were expecting some major relief package which would act as a support for the revival of the vanishing industry.
He further said five percent interest subversion would not come to rescue of dying hotel industry as it is in the dire need of some financial assistance on the same line as given in the year 2003 by the then Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Kashmir Constructional Workers Union (KCWU) and All J&K Joint Masons, Carpenters, Painters , Plumbers , Electricians and Labour Union has also welcomed the Rs1350 crore relief package for J&K announced by LG yesterday.
Abdul Rashid Pandit president, KCWU and Bashir Ahmed Bashir president Joint Masons, Carpenters, Painters, Plumbers, Electricians and Labour Union said the announcement will bring relief for businessmen struggling with economic problems in the UT.
However, J&K Kissan Council has expressed its dismay saying the farmers have been ignored in the package. The president of the Council, Tejinder Singh Wazir in a statement issued here, today said that neglecting of farming Sector in the package is unfortunate as farmers have kept the wheel of economy running in the UT braving the COVID -19 Pandemic. He said farmers suffered serious blow due to severe restrictions of participation of people in marriages, religious celebrations, visit to religious places and other social functions and get-togethers, the business of farmers has suffered a heavy blow. But it is unfortunate that Government did not consider these people who are pillars of economy of the UT for some relief.
Jammu West Assembly Movement president, Sunil Dimple has termed the package as hoax which ignored the common man.
He said there is nothing clear in the package for the common masses, unemployed youth, traders, who are facing economic crisis, transporters etc.
BJP Mahila Morcha president, Sangeeta Dogra has also welcomed the package of Rs 1,350 for industry and trade announced by LG Manoj Sinha yesterday. In a stamen, she said this will bring a succour to ailing industry in the UT which suffered a lot due to turmoil and restrictions imposed on account of COVID-19 Pandemic.
Terming it a commendable step by LG for the people of J&K, she said this will greatly benefit them in future and added it is just a beginning as many more pro -people decisions will follow.
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