Srinagar, May 30: Describing Lockdown as a temporary solution to the global epidemic, the industrialists, traders, transporters, fruit traders, houseboat and Shikara owners and contractors said in unison voice that Lockdown has its own disadvantages. A meeting of the Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) was held on Sunday at, Dal Lake, on the theme “Losses to Trade and Way forward”, during which all the constituents participated. Addressing the meeting, Chairman Kashmir Economic Alliance Muhammad Yousuf Chapri drew the attention of the government to the losses being incurred by industrialists, traders, transporters, fruit traders, houseboat, Shikara owners and contractors
He said that It was only after the floods that trade declined, and the political and epidemic conditions of the coming years did the rest damage. Chapri said that the economic situation in Jammu and Kashmir is in crisis and on the verge of collapse.
“If the government does not come forward to hold the hands of the traders, then the last nail in the coffin of trade and business cannot be avoided ,He said.
Expressing concern over the catastrophic economic situation, Co-Chairman of the Alliance Farooq Ahmad Dar Siad that some People are trying to take advantage of the situation and put the traders and their benefits in cold store, but he advised the traders to beware of these opportunistic leaders. He said that in such a situation, these leaders exploit the traders by showing sympathy to them. Dar demanded that the government prepare a roadmap to get small traders and transporters out of this situation in particular.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Siddique Ronga, Spokesperson of the Alliance and President of Goods Transport Association, while mentioning the losses incurred by the transport sector, said that the transport sector suffered the most during the current and past circumstances. Ronga said the sector had incurred a loss of about Rs 6,000 crore in the last 21 months, and now transporters sell their vehicles and make a living. He demanded the government to announce a special package for drivers and conductors. Ronga said that traders from all sectors should be included in the relief package in the same manner as other states. Bashir Ahmed Bashir, President, New Kashmir Fruit Growers Association also participated in the event in a virtual mode.
Shahid Hussain Mir, General Secretary, a faction of Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, while mentioning the problems faced by the shopkeepers, said that they Has borrowed from financial institutions, and due to unfavorable situation they are failing to repay the loans of these banks. He demanded concessions in bank loans and tax rebates from the government. Muhammad Rajab Kochay, acting chairman of another faction of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation, also demanded that the government address the issues facing the traders and asked them to come forward and help the small traders who have fallen victim to the current situation. ۔ Haji Wali Mohammad, President, Kashmir Shikara Association, said that the sector was facing severe losses and the concessions given by the government were insufficient. Kashmir Traders United Forum Vice Chairman Fayaz Ahmed Bhat told the government during the meeting. Demanding relief to the small traders, he said that these traders are among those who earn their living during the day and eat in the evening and are starving due to the current situation. Merajuddin Ganai, Senior Leader, Kashmir Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association, Ghulam Rasool Kanji, President, Kashmir Floor Mills Association, Arshad Ahmed Bhat, Secretary, Central Contractors Coordination Committee, Haji Nisar, Vice President, KTMF Faction, Tourist Trade Hawkers Association President Gulzar Ahmed, Tahir Ahmed Dar, Vice President Maisma Bazar Committee, Altaf Hussain Dar, Jangalat Gali Bazar Association President Abdul Hameed, Merajuddin Khan and others also attended the meet
