Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 22: For highlighting issues of general public and Jammu traders, Chamber of Traders Federation (CTF) organized an interactive session at its Channi Himmat office here today.
Jammu Mayor, Rajinder Sharma and Dy Mayor, Baldev Singh Billawaria were listened to the grievances and assured the support to resolve the same.
Large number of Association heads from across the city were present on the occasion. They expressed concern over growing insensitivity amongst authorities towards plight of the city dwellers.
Neeraj Anand, CTF president, speaking on behalf of the Trade community expressed displeasure over “Khanapurti” and deliberate actions of law enforcement agencies to harass the gullible public – “online challan of commercial load carriers and vehicles or salesman who park vehicles outside shops to either deliver stock or pick order,” is a practice that is against the spirit of law – how would a traders city survive if the stakeholders are pushed to the wall.
Anand reminded that Jammu city had to bear influx of migrants from all militancy infested areas in 90s and later also thus putting tremendous pressure on its infrastructure eventually it was traders and entrepreneurs who by themselves accommodated all, even though the growth was unplanned but in the absence of any government plan then, Jammu came up as first “kind city” in India accommodating all those uprooted people from across the State with open heart irrespective of caste creed or colour, a Sanatani tradition it follows since ages .
Neeraj asked the administration to ensure that kindness of Jammu is repaid in a kind way and not by forcing down laws by people who are ignorant of the past history of the city.
“It appears that a “straight jacket” solution copied from other states is being implemented caring little for the issues the new development has created. City commuting time has increased manifolds and there are more traffic jams,” added Anand.
He also shared plight of the public over low quality execution of works under Smart City Project, militancy, growing drug abuse and adamant attitude adopted in cases like renewal of lease hold right of traders at Transport Nagar, Warehouse and various other places.
Mayor, assured to have frequent interaction on all such issues and also shared that he has already instructed to form an advisory committee of stakeholders so that a better mechanism is evolved in solving issues of the public. “We cannot allow people to suffer,” he added.
Dy Mayor also assured to work towards betterment of youth and Jammu city. “We will ensure kindness over smartness so that poorest of the poor is also taken along as Jammu turns smart”, he added.
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