Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 11: At least 100 traders at the satellite apple market in Pulwama district in South Kashmir have accused the Administration of failing to renew their licenses despite having been registered to do business there since 2015.
Traders said that the administration has issued nearly 394 licenses to people who have been trading in the market for the past fifteen years and have been renewing their licenses without issue every year since 2008. “Administration has informed us that we do not work here and that our licenses will not be renewed. How was the government renewing our licenses for so many years when we were not doing any business? “a local trader said.
He continued that they were granted a license after depositing Rs. 20,000 with the department in 2008, and they have been trading in the market ever since. “Why did we deposit the money if we were not doing any trade? The Government has failed to do anything to improve the facilities,” he accused.
The market was established in 2006, but nothing has been done to promote its growth. “We have met people who have assured us that the licenses that have been issued will be renewed,” the traders said.
The traders said that people have been demanding shop locations, and some traders do not visit the market due to a lack of space.”The administration should improve trading facilities but is harassing traders,” traders said.
According to Area Marketing Officer Pulwama, Ajeet Singh, these license holders are operating illegally, and licenses were renewed with proper verification.
“We did a physical verification of all the license holders. I know all of them by face. The verification was completed during peak season in October and the licenses of the traders who were not found in the market were not renewed, “he said, adding that the entire process is being done to streamline the licensing process.
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