Srinagar: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Sheikh Ashiq today asked the state Government to come up with a special economic package for the revival of economic activity here, which is in doldrums since August last year.
Taking to KNS, Mr Ashiq said that GOI has excluded Kashmiri business community from Rs 20,000 crore special economic package to cushion the economy of people hit by Covid19 lockdown.
“We have been excluded from the package as the package was announced for those only who have suffered losses in last two months due to Covid19 lockdown. But, the businessmen in Kashmir are facing the losses from last ten months,” President KCC&I told KNS.
He added that they met the Union Home Minister and Union Finance minister and MoS PMO regarding the losses faced by the traders.
“We have brought into their notice about the challenges being faced by the business community in Kashmir. We were expecting good results from those meetings but the COIVD situation washed it all. We expect a special package from GOI for the losses suffered after August 5 shutdown,” he said.
Mr Ashiq revealed that business has slowed down and there is very less cash flow in the market.
“Even after the markets have been opened up after Covid19 lockdown. The business fraternity here is facing yet another challenge i.e. lack of cash flow,” he said,” such a situation is the outcome of the lockdown from last ten months”
KCCI president asked the Lt Governor G C Murmu, Chief Secretary B V R Subramanyam, Financial Commissioner Finance A K Mehta to come up with a special package for revival of the economy and save millions of people become unemployed due to most of businesses in almost every sectors on brink of shutting down.
He also said that they are expecting some tailor made scheme from J&K Bank for support to businessemen of J&K who have been severely affected by the shutdown from last August.
” We have wonderful professional team in J&K bank. An experienced Chairman and a professional Banker as Managing Director will take businessmen along for the growth of bank and various sectors in Kashmir.”(KNS)