Drabu kick-starts pre-budget consultation

Excelsior Correspondent

Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Monday.
Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu chairing a meeting at Srinagar on Monday.

SRINAGAR, Mar 9: In connection with holding of first budget session of Mufti led dispensation, pre-budget consultation was kick started by the Finance Minister, Dr. Haseeb Ahmad Drabu through detailed interaction with various trade and business associations and federations here today.
Principal Secretary Finance, B.B. Vyas, Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Zafar Ahmad, Additional Commissioner CT, Dr. Shamim Ahmad, Director Finance, Showkat Ajaz besides Deputy Commissioners and other officers were present on the occasion.
Paying due ear to suggestions put forward by various industries and trade representatives, the Finance Minister assured them that their genuine demands and suggestions will be given due consideration while framing State budget. He said that holding of this interactive pre-budget consultation is aimed at acquiring knowledge and awareness about the problems confronting trade commerce and industry at grass root level.
Mr. Drabu said Government will always appreciate stakeholders to come forward and appraise about the concessions which need to be given to business community for undertaking their trade smoothly, adding that members of trade industry should cooperate with the Government in increasing the revenue component for the progress, development and prosperity of the State.
The Minister said that simplifying business system and its policies will be among priorities of Government and focused attention will be given to the growth of business sector by providing necessary support so that people associated with the trade commerce and industry will get benefitted and to increase revenue component.
He further said that the Government is well aware of problems of business class people and will leave no stone unturned to provide breather to revive and restabilize the ailing economy enabling it to be back on track.
KCC&I and other Associations while making presentations of their suggestions advocated for various demands for upliftment and progress of trade sector as well as increase in generation of revenue for State.
Among others who were present in the pre-budget discussion include Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Kashmir Traders Federation, Kashmir Motor Drivers Association, Western Bus Service Association, All Valley Fruit Growers-cum-dealers Union, Urban Poultry Dealers Association and Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation.