FCIK dissolves election commission, constitutes new advisory committee

Srinagar, May 4: In a significant development aimed at reviving the effective functioning of the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), an Extraordinary General Body Meeting held at the FCIK headquarters has dissolved the existing Election Commission and the Advisory Committee.

According to a statement issued here, a new Advisory Committee has been constituted, comprising elected Presidents of all industrial estate associations in the organised sector and District Presidents representing the unorganised sector across Kashmir.

The newly formed Advisory Committee will work in coordination with outgoing President Shahid Kamili to ensure continuity in representation and to facilitate the smooth conduct of fresh elections. Kamili will continue to represent the organisation until a new leadership is elected.

The meeting, attended by hundreds of entrepreneurs from across the Valley, including the Presidents from both industrial estates and district-level associations, was convened to address the prolonged institutional deadlock and widespread dissatisfaction arising from the stalled election process. Members expressed serious concern over the absence of a functional permanent body within the FCIK, which they said had led to industrial issues being left unaddressed.

Several grievances were raised against the outgoing Election Commission, including alleged constitutional violations, under-representation, and misconduct. These concerns have resulted in multiple court interventions and the suspension of the election process. To break the impasse and restore credibility to the organisation, the members unanimously passed four key resolutions:

The current five-member Advisory Committee was dissolved with immediate effect.

The Election Commission was also dissolved and instructed to hand over all official records and documentation to the FCIK office.

A new Advisory Committee, comprising elected Presidents from industrial estates and unorganised sector districts, was resolved to be constituted to work alongside the outgoing President during the interim period till taking over by the new elected body. They may incorporate more members from lines of activity.

The new Advisory Committee has been empowered to form a new Election Commission responsible for conducting fresh elections within a maximum period of two months. The election process is to be held strictly in accordance with the FCIK Constitution. To ensure transparency, the Committee may also engage external observers and request government oversight.

Attempts by a few members of the dissolved Election Commission, along with their unconstitutionally appointed General Council and Executive Council members, to disrupt the proceedings were thwarted by the overwhelming support of the majority in attendance, aided by police presence. Sensing potential misuse of office resources by disgruntled elements, the newly constituted Advisory Committee resolved to secure the FCIK office premises by handing over the keys to the police until fresh elections are conducted, the statement sai.

The Federation reaffirmed its commitment to democratic processes and to safeguarding the interests of the industrial community in Kashmir.

The Presidents of industrial estates who participated in the meeting included Shiekh Nisar Ahmad (Lassipora), Iftikhar Hussain Misgar (Anantnag), Mohsin Iqbal (Vessu), Muzaffar Ahmad (Bijbehara), Abdul Raheem Sofi ( Chatpora Pulwama), Aweem Irshad (Shopian) Dawood Ahmad (Rangreth), Mohammad Ashraf Mir (Burzallah), Showkat Ahmad (Shalteng), Farooq Ahmad (Zainakote), Syed Fazal Illahi (BAMK), M. Y Techoo (Ganderbal, Mohammad Ashraf Khan (Baramullah), Javid Ahmad Bhat (Sopore), Ghulam Nabi Shah (Handwara), Mehraj –ud-Din (Kupwara), Farooq Ahmad (Rudbug Kupwara), Ashiq Nabi Purra (Zakura) and District Presidents Ghulam Mohammad Tramboo (Anantnag),Nazir Ahmad Mir (Pulwama), Parvaiz Ahmad Malik (Kulgam), Mohammad Imran (Baramullah), Makhmoor Gowhar (Srinagar), President JKPICCA Bashir Ahmad, M.D Qureshi, Altaf Ahmad , Mukhtar Yousuf, Raja Nayeem Khan, Ovees Jami, Firdous Ahmad and hundreds of respected entrepreneurs and their leaders.

The meeting commenced with introductory remarks by former President Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, followed by Shakeel Qalander, who formally moved the resolutions for consideration of the members, the statement said.