Trade body calls for restoration of peace in JK
Srinagar: The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries, (JCCI) on Tuesday urged the state government to restore peace in the state.
Addressing a presser in Jammu, JCCI president, Rakesh Gupta urged the state government and other mainstream opposition parties to rise above the party politics and make Jammu and Kashmir a peaceful and ‘fear free’ State.
“Keeping in view of the sufferings of the people at large and also for the stability of economy post demonetization and GST implementation, all the parties need to work together to bring out the state from the turbulent times it is faced with,” Gupta said.
“We appeal to the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to delay the holding of Panchayat polls at this crucial juncture as this is the onset of tourism season,” Gupta added.
He said that the tourism industry being the back bone of the economy of the state has suffered continuously because of the law and order problem in the state over the past many years now.
“Any decision regarding holding of any type of elections would have a cascading effect and the move will badly affect the inbound tourism. We advise the government to hold such elections only after the month of August,” he said.
The trade body leader said that occupancy in the hotels is all time low and it has been recorded at 15% to 20% this season.
“It is the duty of one and all to keep the state incident free to help the tourism and transport industry and keep the common interests of people at large in mind,” he said.
He said that JCCI has decided to launch a movement ‘The Way Forward’ wherein the Chamber shall call upon the leaderships of all the political parties and seek their cooperation to maintaining peace in the state.
“The Jammu chamber is in talks with the KCCI and may soon jointly call upon the Hurriyat leadership to appeal to them to cooperate in this matter and not to call ‘Bandhs’, which would be practically a genuine and realistic gesture for the welfare of the people of the state,” he said.
“JCCI is of the view that bridging gaps between the three regions Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh was the need of the hour and both the chambers shall leave no stone unturned to make strong bonding between the three regions a reality,” the JCCI President added.
The JCCI also advised media to show case the best and positive aspects of the state so that tourism inflow improves.
KV Correspondent
