The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation President Haji Mohammed Yasin Khan flanked by KTMF district presidents and other office bearers on Sunday called on Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti pressing for demands for revival of business activities in the Valley. In a statement issued to KNS, Khan said Mehbooba and others from the government present at the meeting patiently heard the traders and assured that their demands would be met at an earliest.Putting forth the demands, Khan said “It has been almost two years that post-floods, the economy could not revive as the business community continues to struggle for survival. A basic reason has been that the commitments as made by the Govt with the traders community were not fulfilled.”“We have long been appealing for grant of soft loans for traders and tax holidays for five years given the fact that the traders were not given due compensation for the losses suffered in the 2014 floods.
”“The traders affected by road widening projects equally await compensation since 2005,” he added.
“Kashmiri traders have to undergo check at two posts viz Lakhanpur and Lower Munda whereas Jammu traders have to face only one entry point. Add to this the harassment of the traders at these check posts, our complaint for years,” he added.
Referring to the traffic mess, Khan said: “Traffic mess in the Srinagar city has badly affected footfall in the central business district. The VAT recovery has already decreased and is feared to decease further as shoppers shy away from coming to traditional business hubs. Same is true for Shaher-E-Khaas. Traffic regulation needs drastic improvement in consultation with traders and other stakeholders.”
He added that public transportation and street lighting needs revamp to meet the market requirements.“Master Plan for Srinagar is under revamp but it needs consultation with business fraternity,” he added.Khan, who also heads the Kashmir Economic Alliance complained that the backbone of horticulture industry, the apple and walnut market was in red due to government indifference. He said the government should take marketing of the fruits into its own hands and equally provide subsidy on transport and related issues to the fruit growers.Khan, however, said the government should look into the matter that why controversies erupt only during the summer season and that the authorities should desist from taking such steps which take peace hostage.Others who attended the meeting include: Ghulam Nabi Turray (Shopian) Ghulam Hussan Parray (Ganderbal) Ghulam Mohammed Malik (Pulwama) Mohammad Shafi Wani (Islamabad) Ajaz Ahmad Sofi (Handwara) Kar Eshfaq Ahmad (Tral) Muzaffer Ahmad Sofi (Narabal) Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (Kulgam). (KNS)