Srinagar, October 6: A delegation of the Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), led by its President Mohammad Yaseen Khan, met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat here on Monday and discussed a range of issues concerning the trading community and the business environment in Jammu & Kashmir.
The delegation comprised senior KTMF functionary Qazi Tauseef, Bashir Ahmad Rather, Sheikh Rashid and KTMF District President Baramulla Er. Tariq Mugloo.
During the meeting, the federation raised concerns related to business activity, urban infrastructure and the functioning of commercial establishments across Kashmir.
Ease of Doing Business Bill
The KTMF welcomed the recently passed Ease of Doing Business Bill, describing it as a significant step towards simplifying regulatory processes and reducing procedural hurdles for businesses.
However, the federation stressed that the effectiveness of the legislation would depend on its implementation by government departments and field offices.
“We welcome the Ease of Doing Business Bill, but implementation will be the real test. The business community needs to experience the change at the ground level,” KTMF President Mohammad Yaseen Khan said.
He said traders should be able to obtain permissions, renewals, approvals and other services through a transparent, time-bound and hassle-free system.
The federation called for clear timelines, greater accountability, reduction of unnecessary inspections and permissions, digitisation of processes wherever possible, and a mechanism for resolving traders’ grievances without prolonged procedural delays.
Power, traffic and parking issues
The delegation also raised power-related issues faced by businesses and stressed the need for reliable power supply, particularly for commercial establishments, manufacturing units and other business activities.
Traffic congestion and parking shortages were also discussed, particularly in Srinagar.
The KTMF said that increasing traffic pressure and inadequate dedicated parking spaces in commercial areas, especially Downtown Srinagar, were affecting customer movement as well as the functioning of businesses.
The federation also raised concerns related to ongoing Smart City works and their impact on commercial activity.
Rental and tenancy disputes
The delegation highlighted difficulties faced by traders occupying properties belonging to government departments and agencies, including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Estates Department and Srinagar Development Authority.
The KTMF urged the government to examine such cases and establish mechanisms for resolving long-pending disputes between traders and government departments.
Focus on business revival
The federation also urged the Chief Minister to make business revival a key component of the government’s economic priorities.
It said the trading community contributes to employment generation, revenue mobilisation and the local economy, and therefore requires a policy environment that facilitates investment, consumption and business expansion.
The delegation sought a coordinated approach involving the concerned departments to address issues related to power, traffic, parking, rentals, taxation, permissions, urban infrastructure and market development in a time-bound manner.
The KTMF expressed hope that the issues raised during the meeting would be followed by concrete measures to improve the business environment, strengthen commercial infrastructure and support the revival of trade and commerce across Jammu & Kashmir.
