Srinagar, May 22, KDC: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today confirmed his government’s commitment to address the concerns of the trade community and facilitate economic revival in the region.
The Chief Minister presided over a meeting with a delegation of traders of Kashmir Valley under the banner of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), headed by its chairman Mohammad Yasin Khan.
The Chief Minister said, “We will try to make the best possible use of the resources available for us in the present.” “It is true that our economy is not as strong as it should be. However, this situation has not developed overnight – it has been revealed for years.”
Reacting to the issues raised by the traders, the Chief Minister assured that all concerns – including main roads, market access, infrastructure deficiency and encroachment on affiliated facilities have been included – they were duly noted and will be addressed on priority.
He said, “I have instructed the concerned departments to attach respectfully to the traders and ensure that they are not subject to unnecessary inconvenience. Issues related to development, road sellers blocking road sellers in front of shopkeepers, and market access should be resolved through mutual cooperation,” they insisted.
Highlighting the ongoing efforts of the government in response to a query raised about healthcare in the districts, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the delegation that several major infrastructure projects were going on. He said, “We have already ordered for important medical equipment like Cath Lab and MRI for our hospitals. In addition, I have directed the Finance Department to release funds for the macadamization of roads to improve the infrastructure of our road,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of strengthening the local economy, Omar Abdullah said, “We are working to prioritize local contractors in public functions, so they too can benefit from development initiative.”
He also assured the delegation that the interest would be taken with the Union Finance Ministry to postpone the issues related to the runner -up and the monthly installments of bank loans.
The Chief Minister said, “We will continue to pay attention to your issues and will make every effort to solve them.”
Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta and other senior officials were present during the meeting.
Earlier, representatives of traders highlighted several issues, including interest reactions, postponing three monthly bank loan installments, poor road connectivity, adequate market shortage, and subsidized vans for air -conditioned vans used in transporting horticulture yield in terminal markets in South Indian states. (KDC)