Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 9: Business-men and traders of Purani Mandi and adjoining bazars today demanded extension of power amnesty scheme to their establishments as has been done in case of J&K industries, hoteliers, people associated with tourist trade and small scale industries. They said that interest, penalty and surcharge on power dues should also be waived off as has been done in case of industrialists as they too had been functioning in same circumstances and in the given infrastructure available in the State.
A delegation of traders and businessmen from Purani Mandi, Gujara Wali Gali, Purani Mandi Traders Association, Upper Purani Mandi Traders Association, Centre Basic Traders, Old Hospital Road Businessmen and Raj Tilak Road Businessmen Association met BJP State vice president, Yudhvir Sethi and demanded that these issues be taken up with the Government. They also demanded immediate construction of proposed parking lot at Parade Ground so that traffic congestion could be eased out.
The delegation demanded installation of CCTVs in all bazars for continuous surveillance as incidents of theft have increased during past some time. Apprising Yudhvir Sethi of their issues, the traders also demanded Heritage Status for their bazars and said that entire stretch from Raghunath Bazar right up to Purani Mandi where Ram Mandir is located should be declared as Heritage Bazar.
Since all old buildings, temples, architectural marvels of erstwhile Jammu and many remnants of footprints of erstwhile Maharajas are also be located in this stretch, it needs a heritage status, they added.
Yudhvir assured the traders and businessmen that their issues will be taken up with concerned quarters and said that problems of drains and lanes will be addressed soon.
On his request the traders later agreed to keep their articles inside the shops to ensure free flow of traffic. They assured extending all sort of cooperation to Traffic Department, Municipal Corporation and other agencies so that city could be beautified. Yudhvir said that developing Old City on the modern lines is on priority of Coalition Government and no stone will be left unturned to keep the city clean and green.
Among others present included Jang Bhadur Sharma, Ramesh Sharma, Rakesh Gupta, Suriender Mahajan, Ashok Mahajan, Ajay Mahajabn, Ashok Verma, Amit Jamwal, Honey Sharma, Manu Sharma and other senior members of the various associations.
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