Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has withdrawn call for Jammu bandh on Monday, after assurance from the Governor, Satya Pal Malik to address the issues of traders’ community.
Addressing a press conference here today, JCCI president, Rakesh Gupta said that in view of non-seriousness on the part of Government in resolving their long pending issues , the Jammu Chamber had decided to observe complete bandh on Feb 3 during Prime Minister’s visit to the State. He said since we are nationalist people and appreciate PM’s many initiatives, therefore, all the presidents of various markets and Jammu Chamber unanimously decided to observe bandh on Monday (Feb 4) instead of Sunday (Feb 3).
Gupta further claimed that he received phone call from the Governor, who assured us to solve our issues by Tuesday, therefore, the JCCI unanimously decided to withdraw Jammu bandh call for Monday. He said if the issues of traders were not resolved, the Chamber will review its decision.
Rakesh Gupta, who was accompanied by heads of various Bazaars Associations and Rajesh Sharma, Chairman J&K Kissan Council, further said that JCCI seeks withdrawal of Toll Tax at Lakhanpur as it is clear violation of `One Nation One tax’ system in the country. He also demanded early setting up of ‘Dry Port’ in Jammu as already declared by the Union Government. He regretted that no progress has been seen in this regard so far.
Gupta said after the implementation of GST throughout the country, there was no question of collecting Toll Tax in J&K. The traders as well as people of J&K are being made to pay double tax which is very unfair. He said for the allotment of land for ‘Dry Port,’ MoU was signed between the J&K Government and DUBAI Port World in presence of Prime Minister Narindra Modi last year but this process has been stalled for the reason best known to the people at the helm of affair.
Chamber office bearers and other leading traders, including Rajesh Gupta, Manish Gupta, Ashu Gupta, Surinder Mahajan, Anoop Mittal and Raman Suri also accompanied.
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