Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Sept 12: The traders and transporters of Jammu province will observe complete bandh and ‘Chakka Jam’ strike, in protest against the “non-serious approach” of the State Administration led by Governor Satya Pal Malik towards their issues, on Monday.
This declaration was made in a joint Press Conference convened by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) president Rakesh Gupta, Chairman J&K Transport Welfare Association T S Wazir, Chamber of Traders Federation president, Neeraj Anand and Chairman J&K Kissan Council, Rajesh Sharma here today.
They projected the burning issues and demands which were not being addressed by the State Administration despite the fact that the JCCI, J&K Transport Welfare Association and Chamber of Traders Federation met the concerned Advisors personally, sent written communications to the Governor and also raised demands and issues through media particularly regarding the recent levy of taxes, users charges by Municipal Corporation, one time Tax on Motor Vehicles Implementation of Central Motor Vehicle Act 2019, extension in dates for filing of Income Tax and GST returns, unabated corruption and lack of basic amenities in particular the supply of power.
While speaking on the occasion Rakesh Gupta categorically warned the Administration that the autocratic and adamant attitude of the Government during the transition time from State to UT has forced all the stakeholders to come together and take an agitational path. He said that on one hand the business community is suffering badly because of prevailing situation and on the other hand the State Administration is imposing taxes and penalties without any consultation with the stakeholders.
He said that the per capita income and financial ranking of the State should be the prime consideration before imposing any levies. He further said that recent notifications issued by Municipal Corporation regarding levy of hefty users charges, one Time Tax on Motor Vehicles and implementation of Central Motor Vehicle Act 2019 by the Transport Department should be immediately cancelled and JCCI shall not negotiate and compromise on all these demands.
The JCCI chief said that if their demands are not met by coming Sunday then one day peaceful Jammu Province bandh and Chaka Jam shall be observed on September 16. He sought support of all the Jammu based organisations.
TS Wazir cautioned the Government that the State Administration is forcing them to take agitational path which they were avoiding till now and urged to the Governor for his personal intervention to get these unjust notifications withdrawn and cancelled immediately. He further assured all support to the one day Jammu Province bandh on September 16 as the condition of the transporters is getting worst day by day.
Neeraj Anand, CTF president also extended full support to the initiatives taken by JCCI for the betterment of business community of J&K. He further said that post abrogation of Article 370 there is immediate need for the Transportation of Horticulture produce from the Valley i.e Apple and Walnuts because this is the peak season for the same and crores of rupees of Jammu business community have been paid in advance to the growers of the Valley.
“We had already taken up the issues with the concerned authorities and expect that an urgent decision in this regard for a dedicated corridor to ship the consignments from Valley to Jammu be facilitated so that the traders from Jammu be saved from huge losses in the shape of bank interest and business losses failing which there will be no scope left other than going for an agitational path,” he asserted.
Rajesh Sharma, chairman J&K Kissan Council welcomed the decision of JCCI as the issues and demand raised were not only affecting the farmers but people at large. He too assured full support to Jammu bandh on Monday.
Among other present in the meeting include Rajeev Gupta, Manish Gupta, Gaurav Gupta, Ashu Gupta- all JCCI office bearers and presidents of different Trade, Transport, Hoteliers and Tourism Associations.
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