Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 14: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) discussed various problems being faced by the public, especially members of business community regarding functioning of various Government departments.
During the meeting, members of the business community complained regarding the functioning of J&K State Pollution Control Board. They alleged though the Board was established for regulation of various Pollution Control Laws, it’s adopted mode of functioning has resulted in it turning into a major obstacle and defeats the proclaimed thrust of the State Government regarding ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
“Entrepreneurial projects are being delayed, critical time lost and heavy losses caused due to delay and non-issuance of ‘Consent to Operate’ and ‘Consent to Establish Operate’ from the Board”, they added.
The meeting observed that similar complaints were coming from the Hotel Industry too, where establishments are dependent on the consent from the Board for their registrations/licenses with various departments like tourism, estates etc. “Cases are being delayed on flimsy pretexts and applicants threatened with conduct of complicated tests and inspections unless they do as desired. There are disturbing reports which require to be looked into”, the members rued.
It was decided in the meeting that a fact finding team from the Kashmir Chamber would ascertain the situation on ground and also seek details from the public in this regard through a public notice. Therefore, Chamber appealed members of the public, entrepreneurs and the business community who may be facing any problem in getting their genuine cases processed at the State Pollution Control Board or any other agency of the State or Central Government, to contact its office with details of their grievance.