Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 30: For exploring measures to streamline the business operations in Jammu and Kashmir post abrogation of Article 370, a delegation of Chamber of Traders Federation, Jammu led by Parveen Khandelwal, National secretary general (CAIT) called upon Piyush Goyal , Minister of Railways , Industry and Commerce and Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), DONER, MOS, PMO.
Neeraj Anand, president CTF, made Piyush Goyal and Dr Jitendra Singh aware about current trade situation and how it can be eased further. A memorandum in this regard was also submitted.
Anand suggested immediate formation of Trade Coordination Committees in Jammu and Kashmir because traders enjoy trust of all sections of society and can bridge all differences. He stressed that it being apple season in Kashmir, bringing perishable fruits to markets of Jammu is of paramount importance. Jammu being hub, having cold storages and well aligned transportation system, perishables can be sent to all important markets across India thus saving thousands of crores of commodities from getting wasted.
CTF stressed the urgent need to set up a dedicated corridor to ship seasonal crops like apples, walnuts, pears and other perishable products from Kashmir to Jammu zone so as to save thousands of crores worth of goods and related economy from being wasted. ” We also seek immediate package to help stakeholders like growers, cold storage owners, transporters, traders of Jammu and Kashmir. Immediate relief can be provided to all stakeholders by way of interest waiver and rescheduling of loan installments.
CTF further demanded that Toll Tax on goods be immediately abolished as it is badly affecting genuine trader and shifting the trade to neighbouring States. It is also against the spirit of “One Nation One Tax”; Store Procurement department may immediately be allowed to procure key account material for Govt Departments to increase transparency as well as business in Jammu region; Trade policy on lines of Industrial Policy be framed in J&K to help entrepreneurs increase Trade activity; new wholesale/retail markets be setup at the upcoming Ring Road to decongest existing markets besides to provide livelihood opportunities for Jammu Youth and any incentive/ package envisaged for the new units may kindly be extended to the existing industrial units also.
In order to diffuse the current situation, we suggest that trade coordination committees be framed which can help to streamline business activity in our State as Traders enjoy trust of all sections of the society. CTF and CAIT can play a major role in this initiative, they added.
Piyush Goyal and Dr Jitendra Singh assured the delegation that Government would facilitate all positive initiatives.
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