The continued delay in lease extensions for traders at Narwal Fruit Mandi in Jammu is a pressing issue that has left hundreds of shopkeepers struggling to maintain their livelihoods. The promise of quick action, frequently given but not yet honoured, has only compounded the frustration of those who rely on these leases to secure loans, obtain insurance coverage, and access critical schemes launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Production Department. Established in 1982 as a hub for traders from other local mandis, Narwal has become essential to the region’s fruit and vegetable supply chain. However, with the leases expiring in 2021 and 2022, the traders are now financially bound. The State Administrative Council was previously expected to address the lease issue, but its dissolution following the formation of the new Government in Jammu and Kashmir has created a void in decision-making. The resulting lack of lease renewal has led banks to deny traders the credit necessary to operate and expand their businesses. Insurance companies, too, have halted coverage due to the expired agreements, leaving traders’ goods vulnerable to unforeseen losses.
The Narwal Fruit Mandi Traders Association has been actively seeking solutions, but despite numerous appeals and assurances, concrete action is still awaited. The Government’s claim of a prioritisation of the issue, though well-intentioned, has not translated into the relief needed by traders, who continue to suffer financial setbacks due to missed opportunities for Governmental support. For many, this issue has escalated from a minor inconvenience to a potentially existential threat. The process of lease renewal, reportedly halted without explanation in 2015, now requires decisive action from the relevant departments. An expedited decision on lease extensions is crucial not only for the financial stability of the traders but also for the economic health of the region. A well-functioning Narwal Fruit Mandi is vital to the prosperity of the region’s agriculture sector, and without prompt resolution, the Government risks undermining the livelihoods of the people it aims to support.
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