Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Aug 3: The traders and industrialists from Jammu have suffered losses worth over Rs 1,000 crore in view of continuous bandh and curfew in many parts of Kashmir after violent protests and killings of some people in Valley.
Since the trade in Kashmir and Jammu is inter-linked, the traders, industrialists and transporters not only in Kashmir but in Jammu region have also suffered huge losses. The setback caused to the smooth yatra of Shri Amarnath ji shrine due to curfew and bandh has also contributed to the losses of the Jammu traders, who also used to send huge goods and other consumable items to the Langer organizers at Baltal, Pahalgam and other places enroute cave shrine these days.
While the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) has projected a total loss of Rs 1,000 crore during last 26 days including that of industrial units In Digiana, Gangyal, Bari Brahmana, Samba and Kathua, the Federation of Industries Jammu (FoIJ) has worked out the estimated losses to the tune of over Rs 400 crore of the industrial sector. Not only trade and Industry, the loss of transport industry may also go around Rs 150 crores.
President Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rakesh Gupta told the Excelsior that for the last 26 days, there is total bandh in Kashmir valley. He said due to turmoil and curfew in Valley, the business activity there has totally derailed. The economy of the State has been badly shattered with the ongoing agitation and bandhs in Kashmir.
Gupta said since the business of Kashmir and Jammu is inter-linked, the traders of Jammu have also suffered huge losses in view of the Kashmir situation. He said Shri Amarnath Yatra has been almost declined due to Valley situation and supplies to the Langars from Jammu have also affected badly.
Mostly, eatables and other consumable goods were being supplied on daily basis to Kashmir traders from Jammu wholesellers. That trade activity has been suspended. Moreover, money of the traders has also been blocked due to adverse situation in Kashmir. Even from Fruit and Sabzi Mandi Narwal Jammu, many trucks were plying to Kashmir every day. Those supplies have also been suspended due to bandhs.
He claimed that the estimated loss to the traders of Jammu has been put around Rs 600 crore in last 26 days while over all losses including industry could be around Rs 1,000 crore.
Replying to a question, the CCI president said that industrialists from Gangyal, Digiana and Bari Brahmana besides Samba and Kathua also supply huge goods to Kashmir. Their production has also gone down steeply. Many items were being supplied to Kashmir by these units and their business has also been badly affected. The raw material of many unit holders is lying unused. Gupta said that Government must compensate the traders suffering losses for their no fault.
Lalit Mahajan, chairman Federation of Industries Jammu and president Bari Brahmana Industries Association, when contacted said that bandhs and curfew in Kashmir for the last 26 days have badly affected the industrialists in Jammu, Bari Brahmana, Samba and Kathua. He said most affected are the small scale and medium category units.
Mahajan said steel, iron bars/ sheets , cement besides other items of daily use are being supplied to Kashmir by unit holders from Gangyal, Digiana, SIDCO complex as well as Kathua and Samba. The supply has been badly hit.
The FoIJ chairman further said that he has held meetings with office bearers of Digiana, Gangyal, Kathua and Samba Industrial Associations and the office bearers have worked out the losses suffered by the unit holders dealing with traders in Kashmir. He said the estimated losses projected so far during last 26 days are to the tune of Rs 400 crore.
Referring to the losses suffered by industrialists during ‘Bum Bum Boley’ agitation in Jammu in 2008, BBIA president said that Government had given special concession in power bills to the Industrialists at that time. The Government must provide some relief/ compensation to the industrialists in view of the losses being suffered by them due to Kashmir agitation/ bandhs.
Surinder Singh Kala, Convenor J&K Motor Transport Companies Association, said that not only trade and industry, the transport industry has also suffered losses. He said about 400 to 500 trucks are daily plying from Jammu to Kashmir and moreover, nearly equal number of Tempo travelers/ Taxies/ Sumos besides buses are also plying from here. Over 200 oil tankers were also moving on daily basis from Jammu towards various parts of Kashmir with fuel. On this count, the transport industry has also suffered a loss of nearly Rs 150 crore in last nearly one month. Many vehicles were damaged by mob in Kashmir and drivers from Jammu including oil tankers have stopped plying to Kashmir. The Government should compensate them.
Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga when contacted said that first priority of the Government is to restore peace and normalcy in Kashmir. He said the Government is monitoring the situation closely. After the normalcy is restored, the Government can think on other issues as well. He said at this juncture compensation or relief on this count is no priority. Such things may be discussed later in the Cabinet for taking an appropriate decision, the Minister added.
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