A traders delegation today called on Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan in his office chambers and submitted a memorandum demanding several measures to be taken by the government providing relief to this class.They also lauded several steps taken by this dispensation for the welfare of traders and horticulturists. These include critical market linkages for the local produce by collaborating with the NAFED; providing of subsidy for transportation of cherry crop; special focus on marketing of local fruits; capacity building of infrastructure through state of art horticultural estates; and opening of Centre of Excellence for horticulture at Khunmoh, Srinagar.The traders body led by Javed Tenga, former president KCC&I reiterated that their business has suffered losses due to the Covid pandemic as they were unable to consolidate on the benefits of many government programs due to this viral disease. They suggested several measures for government to take in order to bring respite to the traders community.The delegation said that the government has estimated the damage to be upto 40 percent in many districts due to recent hailstorms. So they demanded government to step in and disburse relief in favour of such farmers like past practice as that of the relief provided in 2018.
The delegation further submitted that in order to reduce the rush in markets for fetching groceries by people, the government in consultation with experts should allow these shops/vendors to be open round the clock so that the rush is reduced to minimum.They further asked for a safe corridor for the movement of goods and encouraging the culture of home deliveries for saving goods from getting expired. Besides they suggested bringing of the bakery and departmental stores/supermarkets under the essential category for the purpose of permissible activities under Disaster Management Act.For Haj and Umrah operators going through distressed conditions due to global lockdown they suggest that the government should consider interest subvention and subsidising of fixed establishment costs like rent, taxes, electricity charges, and salary expenses.Advisor Khan listened to the suggestions of the delegation patiently. He maintained that the government is alive to the conditions of the business community and would take all those steps necessary to mitigate the concerns of this class. He assured them that under AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan many steps has already been taken by the LG administration and more steps would be taken for the recovery and upliftment of business in J&K.