KCCI team meets LG, requests extension on Tourism Trade Rules Amendments

Srinagar, Aug 08: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has requested the Lt. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, to direct the Secretary of the Tourism Department to extend the deadline for submitting responses, objections, and suggestions to the proposed amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Registration of Tourism Trade Rules, 2024.

In a meeting held at the Raj Bhawan with LG, a KCCI delegation led by President Javed Ahmad Tenga highlighted that the exhaustive nature of the proposed amendments required careful consideration by a large number of tourism stakeholders. They emphasised the need for wide consultation among tourism trade associations and other concerned groups.

"The KCCI was approached by a large number of stakeholders requesting an extension to properly review the draft amendments," said Tenga. "We have requested the Lt. Governor to intervene and provide adequate time for a comprehensive feedback process."

The KCCI delegation, which also included Senior Vice President Ashaq Shangloo, Secretary General Faiz Bakshi, and Treasurer Zubair Mahajan, discussed several other urgent matters during the meeting.

They sought the restoration of the Refund of State and Central Taxes and Levies (ROSCTL) scheme for the export of high-end pashmina, hand-embroidered, and value-added shawls. The KCCI argued that the current cap of `438 per shawl was limiting the benefits for more premium products.

Additionally, the KCCI urged the Lt. Governor to announce an One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme without any cap or tenure restrictions to provide relief to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic challenges.

Tenga said that Lt. Governor assured the KCCI team that the matters raised would be positively considered.

The KCCI President thanked the Lt. Governor for the positive response and expressed hope that the proposed amendments and other issues would be addressed to support the growth of Jammu and Kashmir's tourism industry.