Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 16: BJP State spokesperson, Prof. Virender Gupta expressed his strong reservations on the joint resolution passed in the meeting of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) and Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industries (JCCI) demanding for free economic zone to trade with China, Pakistan and Central Asia and return of State power projects installed, managed and controlled by NHPC in J&K to the State Government.
He said as per the joint statement of the two chambers these projects have been illegally occupied by the Government of India which is not based on facts, he said.
“The joint statement of the Traders of Kashmir and Jammu is ill motivated and has dangerous implications and consequences”, Prof. Gupta said and added that the demand of free economic zone is against the sovereignty and integrity of the country and it amounts to recognizing Jammu and Kashmir as a separate independent country.
He said that demand of free economic zone does not form the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the BJP-PDP alliance Government. He said it seems that there are separatist and anti-national forces behind these demands, which used the traders in raising the issue of free economic zone. As such the demand cannot be accepted and Prof. Gupta cautioned the State and Central Government to be vigilant against the forces, which used the platform of traders for raising it.
Prof Gupta said that External Trade & Commerce is a matter of foreign affairs and any person who wants to trade with foreign countries needs to follow the rules and regulations framed for the purpose.
As regards the second demand raised in the resolution about handing over the State Hydroelectric projects, which are presently controlled by the NHPC, the BJP spokesperson said that the projects are constructed and installed by the Government of India through NHPC under the agreement that was signed by the State Government, under the policy followed throughout the country. The joint statement of traders that these projects have been illegally occupied by the Government of India is ill conceived, he added.
Prof. Gupta advised the trade organizations of Jammu Traders, which have always stood by the Jammu Cause and the cause of national interests to dissociate themselves from the joint statement.
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