*Decision to be taken by J&K UT Cabinet: Shailendra Kumar
Vikas Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 3: The extension of lease periods for shops at Narwal Fruit Mandi, pending for over two years, is set to face further delays, impacting traders who are missing out on various schemes launched by the Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Production Department.
Traders had been assured by officials that the State Administrative Council (SAC) would address this matter.
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However, with the formation of a new elected Government in Jammu and Kashmir, the administration has dissolved the SAC, hindering resolution efforts.
Official sources have informed the EXCELSIOR that a proposal for lease extension has been forwarded to the relevant department and they are currently awaiting a response.
The ongoing delays have left traders facing significant losses, as they cannot benefit from schemes designed to support their businesses.
“The Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Production Department is very serious about resolving this issue, and we are doing our best to ensure that traders can continue their operations without disruption,” sources stated.
Established in 1982, the Narwal Mandi was created to accommodate shops relocated from the Sabzi Mandi, Parade, and Fruit Mandi, Jewel area. Traders who took loans to start their businesses now find banks refusing credit due to the expired lease agreements, while insurance companies have halted coverage for their goods.
“The lack of lease extension is deeply frustrating for traders dealing in fruits and vegetables, as without getting the extension in lease period, this have become very difficult for us to run our trade smoothly,” said Atul Ghai, vice president of the Narwal Fruit Mandi Traders Association.
Originally allotted on a 40-year lease, the shops now require renewal from the J&K Horticulture Department, Planning, and Marketing.
“The process of extending the lease was ongoing until 2015, but it was abruptly discontinued without explanation, leaving many shopkeepers in limbo. From last more than two years, we are running from pillar to post to sort out this issue but since nothing has been done in this regard,” claimed Nitin Jain, General Secretary of the Association.
The Government has established around 500 shops in four phases at Narwal Mandi. In the first phase, located in the vegetable Mandi, 115 shop owners in the fruit mandi are now operating at a loss, as their leases had expired in 2021 and 2022.
When contacted, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture Production Department, Shailendra Kumar, acknowledged the traders’ concerns.
“We understand the challenges faced by traders at Narwal Fruit Mandi due to expired leases. While the issue has been prolonged for unavoidable reasons, it is a top priority for us and we are actively working to resolve this matter as soon as possible,” he stated.
Kumar further assured the trader community at the Fruit Mandi in Narwal that the matter would be raised in the next Cabinet meeting which would be held under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s leadership.
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