SRINAGAR: A delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry met Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. The delegation comprised of members representing various economic sectors including hotels, handicrafts, tourism and travel, general trade and FMCG, food processing, horticulture and representatives of the Industrial Estate Lassipora and CA Stores Association Lassipora.
Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad discussed the problem being faced by the residents of Kashmir stranded at various places within the country and abroad. He thanked the administration for taking up the issue with the highest authorities and arranging direct flights for students from Bangladesh and also special buses and trains for residents from various places in the country.
Pole informed the delegation about the steps taken by the Government in this regard. He stated that the administration was in regular touch with senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs. He stated that the residents desirous of coming back had to follow a detailed procedure devised for this purpose which started with their registration at the respective Embassy. He informed the delegation that so far the number of such registrations was not enough to warrant special flights to Delhi. Sheikh Ashiq stated that the number of registrations could be low due to the difficult and time consuming onward journey by road from Delhi to Srinagar. He stated that if the Government could consider direct flights on sectors like Dubai-Srinagar the volumes would definitely be sizeable Pole asked the KCC&I to do an preliminary exercise in this regard and the Government would definitely extend all support for the early and safe return of all stranded residents, wherever they may be.
Discussing the horticulture sector, Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad apprised Pandurang about various issues facing this sector dealing in time-sensitive crops like apples and cherries. The pandemic had disrupted the traditional markets for these products and hit prices. Pole informed the members of the delegation that the Government was already working on the issue and it was not only the problem of transportation but also disruption of forward linkages of customary markets. He stated that the Government was trying to make operational maximum number of local canning units which could preserve part of the cherry crop. He asked the KCC&I delegation to explore potential markets and the Government would be willing to support air transfer in cases of confirmed buyers.
Members from the general trade and FMCG sector highlighted the problems of continuous closure and stockpiling of potentially dead stocks. They stated that despite general directions for opening of shops dealing in essential commodities and groceries, provision stores and supermarkets in Kashmir had not so far been allowed to open their shutters. Only some shops have been designated for home deliveries and they are also facing various problems in purchases of stocks as well as making deliveries. The C&F Agents/Distributors dealing in essential commodities have not been able to settle accounting issues with the huge number of shops lying closed nor have they been able to move stocks in a planned manner. The cash flow has been severely disrupted. Pole stated that the ground situation was different in Kashmir falling in the Red Zone. However, they would consider opening of more shops dealing in essential commodities and requested the KCC&I to compile a list of shops opening of which would ease the supply situation further and also help the wholesalers/distributors to conduct business in a planned manner. The continuous closure of shops dealing in mobile phones and losses suffered by the dealers was also discussed.
President of KHAROF, Mr Wahid Malik discussed the operational problems of Hotels being used as COVID-19 facility. Manzoor Pakhtoon, Chairman, JKTA highlighted the problems of the tourism sector including houseboats and tour/travel sector.
The representatives of the CA Stores Association and Lassipora Industrial Estate thanked Pole for his personal intervention after one positive case was detected in Lassipora Estate and the whole Estate was locked down. Pole had been kind enough to visit Lassipora personally and supervise the early resumption of operations. The representatives of CA Stores Association also drew the attention of Pole towards the closure of a CA Store in Rangreth Industrial Area with substantial stocks lying inside.
He appreciated the role played by the KCC&I in spreading awareness about the measures required to be taken by business establishments for safe operations. He stated that the sharing of responsibility by the administration and the business community was important for overcoming the unprecedented crisis successfully.
Pole stated that they have decided to exempt Goods Carrier vehicles from the requirement of Movement Passes and a public notification would be soon issued in this regard.

KR Desk