Governor N N Vohra had extensive discussions at the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar, with the stakeholders of Trade, Tourism, Transport, Industry, Education and members of Civil Society and heard their views on various important issues. Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Ganai and Mr. Parvez Dewan, Advisors to Governor; Mr. B.R Sharma, Chief Secretary; Mr. B.B. Vyas, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development; Mr. P.K Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, DGP; Mr. R.K Goyal, Principal Secretary, Home; Mr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; and Mr. Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani, IGP, Kashmir were among those who were present at these discussions.
The representatives of Trade sought early disbursement of relief to the flood affected traders. After discussions the Governor directed the Divisional Commissioner, Mr. Samoon, to ensure that the disbursement of relief to the traders, on the lines started by the previous government, should be resumed before 21st February 2016.
The Governor sought the suggestions of various stakeholders for the optimum utilization of Rs 800 crore for interest subvention, as incorporated in the Prime Minister’s Package for extending relief to the traders. The stakeholders argued in favour of relief being also extended to Kissan Credit Card and Artisan Credit Card holders.
The Governor asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that the scheme for providing interest subvention for the flood affected Trade, Tourism, Transport and other business stakeholders should be finalised by 21stFebruary and brought up for the approvalthe State Administrative Council.
The other issues raised in the meeting included concern over the slump in exports, early establishment of the proposed International Trade Centre at Pampore; extension in validity of registration of hotels for 10 years, renewal of Transport Licences at Srinagar; urgent completion of work by the School Fees Fixation Committee; extending registration of private schools to ten years; resumption of Holiday Special trains from major cities to J&K during the tourist season; extending exemption from Lodging Tax; creation of attractive avenues for tourists during the evening hours; improvement of civic amenities; early finalisation of Srinagar Master Plan; improving connectivity to Kashmir Valley; effective measures to deal with drug addiction; sale of spurious drugs; condemnation Policy for old vehicles; early finalisation of new Industrial Policy; imposition of enhanced import duty on apples from abroad; improved access to Lassipora Industrial Estate; enlarging the membership of Sales Tax Tribunal; grant of minority status to Sikh community; grants for the renovation of heritage Gurudwaras at Amira Kadal and Jawahar Nagar; continuation of LTC package for government officials visiting Kashmir by air; timely clearance of liabilities of SSI unit holders supplying products through SICOP; implementation of Kralpora Water Supply Scheme; early establishment of Skill Development Centers for youth; and improvement in traffic management etc.
The Governor directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to ensure the availability of high quality and high-density fruit plant rootstock in Kashmir and to speed up setting of high quality fruit plant nurseries in Kashmir. He directed immediate steps being taken for ensuring adequate supply of quality pesticides and Tree Spray Oil and stressed the need to create awareness among the orchardists to make use of the high quality lab at SKUAST-K.
The Associations whose representatives met the Governor included the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Traders and Manufactures Federation/ Economic Alliance including Lal Chowk Traders, Mehraji Bazar Association, Parimpora Fruit Growers Association; Tourism Trade / Transporters Association including Kashmir Hotel andRestaurant Owners Federation, Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir, Hotel Association, Hotelier Club, House Boat Owners Association, Mini Bus Association, KMD Bus Association, Western Bus Association; Civil Society represented by Ms. Nighat Shafi, Help Foundation-NGO, Dr. Amit Wanchoo, Mr. G.H. Hassan Kaloo and Mr. Umer Tramboo.
