Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 25: A reputed businessman from the city and a dynamic candidate for the post of secretary general in the forthcoming elections to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arun Gupta pledged to take this premier body of traders to new heights and make it more effective and result oriented.
Mr Gupta, who led the Association of Kanak Mandi market, efficiently for the eight long years as president and remained director of Citizens’ Cooperative Bank, Jammu, is being also considered as a strong candidate for the prestigious post of secretary general in the CCI polls being held on April 28.
Talking to Excelsior, Mr Gupta said that he was well versed with the problems being faced by the trade and industry in the form of commercial taxation, transportation, harassment at Lakhanpur Toll Post etc. He said protection of interests of Jammuites and especially trade and industry, will be his prime concerns and he will leave no stone unturned to secure solutions of these problems.
“In current scenario, the business practices are changing rapidly and the Chamber body needs an alert and visionary person to serve the interests of the business community. To lead an organization like CCI, a person needs the vision, courage and conviction,’’ Mr Gupta maintained.
“ If given a chance to serve, we will strongly force the Central Government to withdraw 22 % Excise Duty as an incentive to trade and industry, stress the government for improving infrastructure and roads leading to major business hubs like Fruit and Sabzi Mandi, Transport Nagar, Ware House and various Industrial Estates. Setting up a grand Business Club for the community is yet another priority,’’ he added.
Replying to another question, Mr Gupta said that the CCI shall be made enough stronger to have its reach in whole Jammu region. “We will try to restore industrial incentives which have been withdrawn by the Central Government at present. Some terms and conditions being imposed by the State Pollution Control Board on the industrialists shall also be taken care of,’’ Mr Gupta maintained.