Jammu, 14-06-2024: A delegation of Chamber of Commerce & Industry led by its President Sh. Arun Gupta met Hon’ble Dy. Chief Minister Sh. Surinder Choudhary at KC Regalia where a function was organized by Trade & Industrial Cell headed by Sh. Vikram Puri. At the Outset the Dy. Chief Minister felicitated the Newly elected Chamber Team by presenting a flower bouquet.
During interaction Sh. Arun Gupta urged the Dy. Chief Minister to expedite the ongoing projects like Beautification of River Tawi Banks, Tawi Artificial Lake, Mubarakh Mandi Heritage Complex and more such projects to attract tourists/pilgrims to the city of temples. He also urged the Dy. Chief Minister that Patnitop Development Authority should be rejuvenated to develop it as a tourist hub by allowing commercial activities and construction of five star hotels over there.
Sh. Arun Gupta apprised the Dy. Chief Minister that Gandhi Nagar Housing Colony was developed in 1955. Since then almost 2-3 generation are added who have separated and have individual portions on the same plot. A few have also sold their plots. All these cases are pending for want of NOC or transfer, which is injustice, this should be looked into.
Further Mr. Gupta briefed the Dy. Chief Minister that since last more than three decade the JDA/Housing Board have not established any commercial/residential colonies. Steps should be taken to develop more housing/commercial areas. He also said that LG Administration has resolved the issue relating to Gair Mumkin Khad by issuing an order in this regard. The said order should be implemented in true letter and spirit.
Sh. Arun Gupta reminded that Master Plan is awaiting long pending progressive reforms. The same should be expedited. He also stressed that annual Darbar move process was aimed at maintaining communal harmony between the people of Jammu and Srinagar. We request this process be restarted.
During interaction Sh. Arun Gupta briefed the Dy. Chief Minister that inspite of depositing the requisite fee by the allottees of Shiv Market Railway Station, their lease deeds have not been executed since last more than 15 years, the same should be expedited . Further the lease deed in respect of some allottees of Sabzi Mandi/Fruit Mandi at Narwal which have expired should be renewed without any further delay. He also pointed out that the allottees of commercial shops at Bahu Plaza have not given possession and no lease deeds have been executed, same to be expedited
Sh. Arun Gupta pleaded for the rehabilitation of shopkeepers of Nai Basti Satwari whose business establishments have come under the ongoing flyover projects being constructed by National Highway Authority of India from Kunjwani to Satwari towards women College Gandhi Nagar. He requested the Dy. Chief Minister that these shopkeepers should be rehabilitated by providing land for construction of their shops/business establishments so that they can earn their livelihood.
He further said that a number of businessmen have suffered huge losses due to building demolition and subsequent closure of their business by four lanning/widening of Jammu Akhnoor Road and construction of Flyover. We request that steps should be taken to rehabilitate them.
While highlighting the challenges being faced by the Industries here Sh. Arun Gupta pointed out that with the implementation of the new Industrial Policy all the incentives including the GST linked incentives were provided to the new Industries only. But after deliberations the LG administration has announced turnover incentives to save the existing industries. We request that these incentives should be provided to the existing industries without any capping.
The delegation also urged the Dy. Chief Minister there should be no negative list for the Industrial Products manufactured by the registered units to support their viability.
Sh. Arun Gupta, President Chamber of Commerce & Industry also apprised the Dy. Chief Minister about challenges being faced by the local flour millers due to insufficient wheat production in our region. He pointed out that our millers are charged 6% as mandi fee on wheat being procured from our neighbouring state making their production as more expensive as compared to other regions. He sought the intervention of the Dy. Chief Minister to resolve the issue or provide visible incentive to the local millers to offset their higher production cost.
While discussing the issue relating to oil manufacturer units Sh. Arun Gupta pleaded for removal of oil manufacturing from the negative list so that eligible units can take the benefit of UT’s Industrial promotion policies. He also pointed out that J&K is only UT in the country to put edible oil manufacturing in the negative list. This anomaly should be removed.
He also apprised the Dy. Chief Minister that some Industrial plot holders who were allotted land for establishing their units could not fully establish their units due to non availability of basic infrastructure like road connectivity, power availability, drainage system as well as financial constraints, further Covid-19 added to their worries. He requested that government should revoke the cancellation order of their innocent plot holders who have not fully established their units.
He also urged that all the incentives including benefit of SGST should be given to the existing unit holders also.
Sh. Arun Gupta also briefed the Dy. Chief Minister that at present the Transport Sector is facing lot of problems/hardships. To overcome these hardships government should provide hand holding support for their survival.
The other Office bearers present in the meeting include Sh. Anil Gupta, Sr. Vice President, Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Secretary and Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Treasurer