Srinagar, May 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club (JKHC) on Thursday urged the Jammu and Kashmir government to introduce major reforms in industrial and tourism regulations, calling for a more business-friendly environment and rationalisation of policies affecting the hospitality sector.
In a memorandum submitted to the government, JKHC Chairman Mushtaq Chaya highlighted several challenges being faced by the tourism and industrial sectors in the Union Territory, saying procedural delays and regulatory bottlenecks were hampering investment and economic growth.
The Hoteliers Club said that despite government initiatives aimed at promoting investment and development, several issues continue to affect implementation on the ground. It appealed for further reforms under the “Ease of Doing Business” framework to create a more transparent and conducive environment for local entrepreneurs and investors.
JKHC expressed concern that substantial funds allocated for industrial development and infrastructure were lapsing due to delays in approvals, clearance-related issues and inadequate implementation mechanisms. It urged the government to simplify approval procedures, improve coordination among departments and extend project timelines where necessary to ensure effective utilisation of funds.
The memorandum also raised the issue of restrictions on tourism-related infrastructure development along riverbank areas. JKHC said that Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) and related infrastructure had already been established along several riverbank locations, particularly on Boulevard Road, but permissions for hotel and hospitality projects in such areas were still not being granted.
The association argued that this policy uncertainty was discouraging investment and affecting tourism expansion and employment generation. It called for a balanced and environmentally regulated framework to allow sustainable hospitality projects along riverbanks, proposing a permissible construction limit of 80 feet from the road.
JKHC further submitted a set of recommendations to the government, including simplification of industrial clearances through a functional single-window system with time-bound approvals, extension of incentives and subsidies for MSMEs, tourism units and startups, and rationalisation of power tariffs for the industrial and tourism sectors.
The body also sought fast-tracking of pending land allotment and lease renewal cases, introduction of special financial packages and interest subvention schemes for businesses affected in the post-pandemic period, and creation of dedicated tourism and industrial zones equipped with modern infrastructure and better connectivity.
The memorandum additionally called for regular institutional interaction between government departments and trade bodies such as JKHC to address policy-level concerns and improve coordination with stakeholders.
“The business community of Kashmir remains committed towards economic growth, employment generation and development of the Union Territory,” the memorandum stated, expressing hope that the government would take up the concerns and initiate necessary policy interventions at the earliest.
