Kashmir traders’ delegation calls on Home Minister, Finance Minister
Home Minister Amit Shah Tuesday assured “all possible” help to revive Kashmir economy which has been battered post-abrogation of Article 370 last year.
Shah along with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman held a meeting with members of Kashmir Inc. which represented over 50 trade associations of Kashmir.
Sources informed that the Union Home Minister had invited the Kashmir Inc. representatives to the meeting to know their grievances.
Chief spokesperson Kashmir Inc, Sheikh Ashiq, told Greater Kashmir over phone,
“The Home Minister, the Finance Minister and MoS in PM Office, Jitendra Singh, held a marathon meeting with representatives of Kashmir Inc.”
“During the meeting we presented our point of view viz-a-viz losses incurred by Kashmir economy post August 5, 2019.
“The ministers gave us a patient hearing and after listening to our grievances,
the Home Minister assured of all possible help to revive Kashmir’s economy.
“Our meeting was apolitical, as we are representing traders’ bodies. We discussed with the Home Minister the issues of all segments of Kashmir trade and informed him how our economy is badly suffering.
“They (the Ministers) stated they are aware of the problems confronting trade in J&K,” he said.
The meeting of Kashmir Inc with Union Ministers lasted for over one and a half hour from 5.30 to 7 pm.
“We stressed the dire need for hand-holding Kashmir’s business community as we have been at the receiving end for over three-decades. To it the Home Minister told us that Modi-led government is committed to give fillip to Kashmir economy,” said Farhan Kitab, who was part of the delegation.
“Home Minister’s response was positive; he assured of doing needful to help Kashmir economy,” he said.
The Kashmir Inc also gave detailed presentation of “Rs 18,000 crore losses pegged by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries”. The chamber had compiled preliminary loss report for four months post August 5 when the centre stripped J&K of special status and bifurcated it into two union territories.
The Kashmir Inc has been reporting losses as the business sentiment continues to be weak in the Valley.
Earlier this month, a delegation of Kashmir Inc had met Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, prior to which, they had met Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu to seek their intervention in order to revive fortunes of beleaguered Kashmir economy.