CCIK raises trade, tourism, infrastructure issues with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, June 25: A delegation of the Chamber of Commerce & Industries Kashmir (CCIK), led by its President Tariq Ghani, on Thursday met the Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir, Atal Dulloo (IAS), and submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting a range of issues concerning trade, industry, tourism, infrastructure, education, handicrafts and the overall business environment in the Union Territory.

During the meeting, the Chamber urged the administration to address several long-pending concerns and implement reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business and supporting economic growth across Jammu & Kashmir.

Among the major issues raised by CCIK were land acquisition and fair compensation for affected stakeholders, promotion of solar energy and electric vehicle infrastructure, and measures to advance sustainable development.

The Chamber also sought resolution of delayed payments to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), simplification of the Change of Land Use (CLU) policy, and streamlining of hotel renewal processes to improve the ease of doing business in the tourism sector.

CCIK further called for the promotion and development of emerging tourist destinations, time-bound clearances from the Pollution Control Board, and mandatory Geographical Indication (GI) tagging and protection of Kashmiri handicrafts.

The memorandum also highlighted the need for macadamization and upgradation of roads across Jammu & Kashmir, introduction of a one-time amnesty scheme for commercial electricity consumers, and addressing concerns regarding the proposed closure of Srinagar Airport and its impact on connectivity.

In the education sector, the Chamber sought rationalization of the private school regulatory framework under SO-177. It also urged the government to consider objections and suggestions submitted regarding Master Plan 2035.

The delegation additionally stressed the importance of promoting sustainable tourism and environmental conservation and raised concerns over traffic chaos in Srinagar city.

According to the Chamber, the Chief Secretary gave a patient hearing to the issues raised and assured the delegation that all concerns highlighted in the memorandum would receive due consideration.

A significant part of the discussion focused on environmental protection and sustainable tourism. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary assured the delegation that a strict enforcement drive against the use of polythene would be undertaken across Jammu & Kashmir.

He also assured that a comprehensive anti-encroachment drive would be carried out in coordination with district administrations to protect public assets, tourist destinations, water bodies and environmentally sensitive areas.

CCIK welcomed the assurances and expressed its willingness to actively cooperate with the administration. The Chamber informed the Chief Secretary that its office-bearers would work closely with the authorities and undertake awareness and monitoring efforts across Kashmir in support of these initiatives.

The delegation comprised Tariq Ghani, President; Hussain Khan, Senior Vice President; Ashiq Bhat, Coordinator; Umar Jan, Convenor; Babar Choudhary, Chairman of the Education Committee; and Zubair, Youth President.

The memorandum was submitted during the delegation’s meeting with the Chief Secretary in Srinagar on June 25.