KCCI team meets CM, advocates for special OTS scheme

Srinagar, Oct 29: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry delegation led by President Javid Ahmad Tenga met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat to discuss pressing issues impacting trade and commerce here.

A statement said that the KCCI Executive Committee, representing various economic sectors, participated in the meeting and presented a detailed memorandum that addressed the challenges faced by the different sectors in Kashmir.

The KCCI’s memorandum raised significant concerns about the handicrafts sector, particularly highlighting the steep decline in exports. The Chamber emphasised the need for more opportunities for Kashmir handicrafts stakeholders through participation in national and international exhibitions. They proposed creating district-specific clusters to promote local crafts, upgrading and expanding GI-related infrastructure and manpower at the Craft Development Institute to support advanced training, and assigning a separate ITC (HSN) code specifically for Kashmiri handicrafts. Additional requests included a reduction in GST rates for handicraft items, the establishment of an international expo mart, and organising seminars focused on the revival of traditional crafts.

The KCCI demanded the announcement of a special One-Time Settlement Special (OTS) scheme by J&K Bank without riders, capping and tenure as per MSME norms to provide relief to traders and business owners facing financial challenges. The KCCI advocated exercising restraint on JK Bank from publishing names, e-auction and possession notices until the Special OTS is announced. They also advocated for power amnesty for commercial consumers and highlighted challenges facing private schools and the education sector, including difficulties in the renewal of registrations, tagging of private schools with Government schools, recent harsh amendments, and the requirement of numerous NOCs.

In the tourism sector, KCCI addressed issues such as simplifying the renewal process for tourism registration licenses to hotels, houseboats, restaurants, tour and travel trade and securing permissions for necessary repairs, renovations and upgrades in hotels at Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, LCMA jurisdiction and other areas.

They also proposed the installation of common sewage treatment plants and solid waste management systems in major tourist destinations, the implementation of Cabinet order No: 224-TSM of 2012 dated 19-04-2012 related to promoting sustainability. The memorandum suggested promoting sustainable development for new tourism destinations keeping regard for carrying capacity and environmental impact assessment, increasing marketing and promotional activities, and advancing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism, as well as adventure tourism opportunities. Further points included the rationalization of service charges levied on the hotel industry, recognizing homestays and paying guest accommodations as legitimate residential activities, addressing the outdated Tourist Trade Act of 1978, resolving issues related to hotel lease cases and introducing Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for central and Public Sector Undertaking employees during lean tourist season.

The horticulture sector was another focal area, with requests for categorizing horticulture as a priority lending sector, implementing a structured land allotment policy, diversifying CA infrastructure data across north and central districts, and promoting crop diversification. The KCCI urged for crop insurance solutions and increased adoption of solar power for energy efficiency within this industry.

The KCCI also raised multiple concerns within the industrial sector, advocating for the simplification and consolidation of industrial policies, timely disbursement of the government’s turnover incentive, and efficient implementation of the New Central Sector Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir. Other key points included solar subsidies, the designation of specific field officers to support industry activities, the establishment of a cost equalizer mechanism, addressing issues stemming from the Gem Portal, the rehabilitation of ailing industrial units, handing over possession of industrial lands pending for 4 years, prioritizing skill development according to the requirements of modern times.

The KCCI's meeting with the Chief Minister was also participated by the Deputy Chief Minister on virtual mode and was attended by the Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam, Chief Secretary, ACS to the CM, Principal Secretaries of Power and Finance, Commissioner Secretary of Industries and Commerce, the M.D. of KPDCL, and other key officials.KCCI team included senior vice president, Ashiq Ahmad Shangaloo, Junior vice president, Fayaz Punjabi, Secretary General, Faiz Bakshi, Jt Secretary General, Umar Tibetbaqal, treasurer, Zubair Mahajan along with past presidents and EC members.