Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir Acts to Restore Order, Sets Two-Month Election Deadline

SRINAGAR, May 4: In a decisive step aimed at restoring normalcy and institutional integrity within the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), its general body today formally dissolved both the existing Election Commission and the Advisory Committee during a widely attended meeting at the Federation’s headquarters. The move, endorsed unanimously by hundreds of industrialists and entrepreneurs from across the Valley, marks a turning point in the functioning of one of the region’s most significant industrial representative bodies.

The meeting came amid widespread concerns over a prolonged administrative deadlock and growing dissatisfaction over the absence of a functional leadership structure. Attendees highlighted how the institutional paralysis had severely hampered the Federation’s ability to address critical industrial and business concerns, many of which remain unresolved due to the vacuum in decision-making.

One of the key highlights of the meeting was the constitution of a new Advisory Committee tasked with overseeing the process of fresh elections, to be conducted within a two-month timeframe. This newly formed committee, FCIK stated, comprises elected presidents of all industrial estate associations from the organised sector as well as district-level presidents representing the unorganised sector across Kashmir. The body has been mandated to coordinate with outgoing president Shahid Kamili, who will continue to represent the Federation in the interim.

Members also voiced serious concerns about the functioning of the now-dissolved Election Commission, accusing it of constitutional violations, misconduct, and creating an environment of under-representation that led to judicial interventions and ultimately stalled the election process. These allegations, compounded by internal disputes and alleged unauthorised appointments of General and Executive Council members, had created an atmosphere of mistrust and confrontation.

To address these challenges, the general body unanimously passed four significant resolutions: the dissolution of the current Advisory Committee, the dissolution of the existing Election Commission with a directive to transfer all official records to the FCIK office, the constitution of a new Advisory Committee to manage the leadership transition, and a directive to initiate a fresh and transparent election process in accordance with the Federation’s constitution.

Importantly, the new committee has been empowered to form a fresh Election Commission. It may also invite independent observers and seek oversight from relevant government authorities to ensure a credible and impartial electoral process. This reflects the members’ collective resolve to bring transparency and legitimacy back to the Federation’s core functioning.

The Federation also condemned attempts by a few members of the dissolved Election Commission and their allegedly unconstitutional appointees to disrupt the proceedings. According to attendees, these attempts were thwarted through overwhelming support from the general body and with assistance from police personnel present at the venue. As a precautionary measure, the newly formed Advisory Committee decided to hand over the keys of the FCIK office to the police until the elections are successfully conducted, ensuring that no misuse of office space occurs in the interim.

The meeting began with opening remarks by former FCIK president Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, followed by a detailed presentation of the proposed resolutions by noted industrialist Shakeel Qalander. The resolutions were strongly supported and subsequently adopted with consensus.

Prominent industrial estate presidents present at the meeting included Sheikh Nisar Ahmad (Lassipora), Iftikhar Hussain Misgar (Anantnag), Mohsin Iqbal (Vessu), Muzaffar Ahmad (Bijbehara), Abdul Raheem Sofi (Chatpora Pulwama), Aweem Irshad (Shopian), Dawood Ahmad (Rangreth), Mohammad Ashraf Mir (Burzalla), Showkat Ahmad (Shalteng), Farooq Ahmad (Zainakote), Syed Fazal Illahi (BAMK), M.Y. Techoo (Ganderbal), Mohammad Ashraf Khan (Baramulla), Javid Ahmad Bhat (Sopore), Ghulam Nabi Shah (Handwara), Mehraj-ud-Din (Kupwara), Farooq Ahmad (Rudbug Kupwara), and Ashiq Nabi Purra (Zakura).

District-level representation included Ghulam Mohammad Tramboo (Anantnag), Nazir Ahmad Mir (Pulwama), Parvaiz Ahmad Malik (Kulgam), Mohammad Imran (Baramulla), and Makhmoor Gowhar (Srinagar).

The day’s developments reflect a renewed collective commitment among stakeholders to safeguard the credibility, inclusivity, and democratic functioning of FCIK—a body that plays a vital role in shaping Kashmir’s industrial landscape. As the Federation enters this crucial transition period, members hope the fresh elections will usher in a period of effective leadership and constructive engagement with policymakers, ultimately reviving industrial growth and economic stability in the region.