Jammu, 05-08-2026: In a meeting of the Office Bearers of Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sh. Arun Gupta its President expressed gratitude to the J&K UT Cabinet headed by Hon’ble Chief Minister of J&K Sh. Omar Abdullah for giving NOD to major projects including the outsourcing of Mantalai Assets pertaining to outsourcing of maintenance, operation of Yoga and Wellness centre and Aparna Ashram at Mantali and development of IT/Innovation Park in Jammu & Kashmir in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology. Sh. Arun Gupta also highlighted various issues confronting Trade and Industry.
While raising the issue relating to Sabzi Mandi & Fruit Mandi Narwal Sh. Arun Gupta said the Fruit Mandi & Sabzi Mandi were developed to promote the Agriculture & Horticulture sector, and the traders were allotted undeveloped land on lease basis. The traders, with their own resources and also by taking loans from banks & other financial institutions, developed their shops on the allotted land. Now their lease period has expired and they are facing a lot of problems to run their business smoothly, we request to renew their lease deeds without any further delay.
He further said that the shopkeepers of Shiva Market Railway Station were allotted space on lease basis after taking full premium amount, but their lease deeds have not been executed till date. He demanded that their lease deeds be executed without any further delay.
Arun Gupta further said that shopkeepers of Bahu Plaza are facing lot of hardships & undue harassment for no fault on their part. They were allotted shops after taking the full premium amount and they are paying regular rent of allotted shops. Earlier JDA has cancelled the allotment of 31 shops who knocked on the door of Hon’ble Court & obtained a stay order. Now again JDA has issued cancellation notices to 34 shopkeepers which is grave injustice. He said that in case of any dispute, the same should be resolved amicably by devising some modality to settle the issue once for all.
Sh. Arun Gupta also pointed out that the JDA & J&K Housing Board were established to make development and also to develop new Residential Colonies and Commercial Markets. But instead of doing their assigned jobs they are indulging in harassing the public by one way or the other.
Sh. Arun Gupta appreciated the Govt for taking keen interest in developing the new Industries in the UT of J&K but at the same time there are a number of existing units who are either closed or are at the verge of closure due to Govt apathy. It may not be out of place to mention that these unit holders have contributed a lot to the Govt Exchequer by paying taxes besides providing employment to thousands of educated youth since the last 30-40 years. He urged the Govt to take care of these units by providing them necessary required help for their revival instead of harassing them.
While highlighting the issues pertaining to Automobile Sector Sh. Arun Gupta said that there is urgent need to revisit the EV Policy for J&K to include Strong Hybrid & CNG vehicles in the said Policy for the larger interests of environmental sustainability & public convenience. Besides this, despite the Jammu & Srinagar cities have been included in Smart City Initiative the much needed EV infrastructure has yet to be installed. We request that EV charging infrastructure must be integral part of Smart City Project & EV charging stations should be installed under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
Sh. Arun Gupta further demanded that the CNG distribution network should be increased and VAT on CNG should be rationalized with the prevailing rates of our neighbouring states. In addition to this to promote Strong Hybrid and CNG vehicles, the Govt should announce 50% rebate on registration charges of these vehicles as is being given by our neighbouring states.
The other office bearers present in the meeting include Sh. Anil Gupta, Sr. Vice President CCI, Sh. Rajeev Gupta, Jr. Vice President CCI, Sh. Manish Gupta, Secretary General CCI, Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Secretary CCI and Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Treasurer CCI.