Jammu Chamber calls on CM Omar, seeks turnover incentives, power amnesty, freezing of power tariff for 5 yrs

A delegation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu (JCCI) led by its president Arun Gupta called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and discussed with him a wide range of issues pertaining to industry and the general public on Thursday.

Major industrial sector issues deliberated during the meeting included turnover incentives, free-hold rights, power amnesty, freezing of power tariff for five years, working capital interest subvention, land allotment cancellation and 20 percent capping in land allotment for sons of the soil.

JCCI president Arun Gupta, during interaction, stated, “Time and again we are flagging the issues but we are not getting exact reply or solution to these issues.”

He requested the Chief Minister to consider the cited issues on priority and constitute committees to settle them once for all.

While discussing the issue relating to Shahpur Kandi dam project agreement, Gupta urged the Chief Minister to develop the required transmission infrastructure so that J&K could get its due share of electricity at cheaper rates that would also solve the problem regarding shortage of electricity in the UT.

The other issues discussed in the meeting included change of land use; renewal or execution of lease deeds (in Sabzi Mandi, Fruit Mandi, Bahu Plaza, Shiv Market Railway Station) and the matter related to ‘Gair Mumkin Khad.’

The issue relating to cancellation of allotment notices issued to 32 shopkeepers at Bahu Plaza by Jammu Development Authority (JDA) was also discussed in the meeting.

The JCCI president shared some facts regarding the allotment of those shops and requested the Chief Minister to constitute a committee to suggest the remedial measures in this regard and issue necessary directions to JDA to put on hold the notices issued to the shopkeepers.

“Business community lacks a suitable, spacious place outside Chamber House to interact, relax and meet the dignitaries for professional activities,” Arun Gupta further emphasised and urged CM Omar to allot at least 20 kanals of land in or around Jammu city for establishment of JCCI Business Club.

While replying to the issues raised in the meeting, the Chief Minister assured that the issues discussed in the meeting would receive due attention from the government.

Those who accompanied the delegation included Anil Gupta, senior vice president JCCI; Rajeev Gupta, junior vice president; Manish Gupta, secretary general; Rajesh Gupta, secretary; Rajesh Gupta treasurer and Anil Gupta, president Bahu Plaza Association.