Raises urgent concerns on OTS Scheme, Ease of Doing Business, Tourism

SRINAGAR: The President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Javed Ahmad Tenga, along with his team, met with the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, at Srinagar on March 10, 2024, the trade body said on Monday.
According to a KCCI statement, the Chamber congratulated the Lieutenant Governor for being named among the Indian Express 100 Most Powerful Indians List 2024 for enhanced public engagement and focus on efficient administration.
The following pressing issues were discussed, and urgent attention was sought for their speedy redressal:
OTS Scheme by J&K Bank
The Lt. Governor’s attention was invited to the startling address by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, stating that in five years’ time, the NPA accounts had come down to less than 5% from earlier 11%. The KCCI expressed its deep appreciation to the Central Government and the Lt. Governor’s administration for putting J&K Bank back on rails. It was suggested that a new OTS scheme with higher capping and longer tenure, in accordance with MSME, be urgently announced to enable borrowers to settle their accounts.
Ease of Doing Business
The President of KCCI stressed the need for laying greater emphasis on the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s avowed policy of “Ease of Doing Business,” whose implementation in Jammu & Kashmir leaves much to be desired. Despite more than 1000 services being put online, it takes a considerable time, effort, and follow-up to get things done in every sector.
Tourism:
a) Renewal of tourism registration licenses of hotels/guest houses/houseboats/restaurants, etc., under a single-window system in the spirit of ease of doing business. Presently, the renewals take months and years due to the cumbersome process of obtaining NOCs from multiple departments.
b) Provisional renewal of registration certificates for hotels and other associated services related to tourism until other departments issue NOCs to them.
c) Permission for repairs, renovation, and reconstruction of hotels in Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, LCMA, and other areas.
Power Amnesty for Commercial Consumers
Amnesty for commercial power consumers on the analogy of amnesty granted to domestic consumers.
Trading Community Problems
The LG’s attention was drawn to the problems of the trading community who had suffered due to the ongoing Smart City projects, which had taken extraordinary time for completion, resulting in a dip in their sales.
Srinagar Airport expansion
Expansion of Srinagar Airport in view of growing tourism arrivals was discussed. The present infrastructure is unequipped to handle arrivals and departures, causing huge inconvenience to travelers.
Registration of Handicraft Units
Handicraft units established in industrial estates are not being registered by the Handicrafts Department, putting them under tremendous stress and strain. KCCI suggests that such handicraft units already established in industrial estates be registered by the Directorate of Handicrafts in accordance with the industrial policy by conferring powers under EM1 and EM2 to the Director of Handicrafts.
Handicrafts Clusters in Srinagar City
KCCI suggested that handicraft clusters be established in Srinagar city to promote handicrafts and sustain thousands of artisans associated with this sector.
The KCCI President thanked the Lt. Governor, who assured speedy action on the issues raised by KCCI, the statement said.

KR Desk