KTA expresses disappointment over exclusion of general trade from Budget

Srinagar, Mar 7: The Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has voiced its disappointment following the recent budget announcement, emphasising that the needs of general trade have been largely overlooked.

In a statement issued by KTA President Aijaz Shahdhar, the alliance expressed that their hopes for substantial measures aimed at reviving the general trade sector have not been realized.

Despite previously articulated expectations for a comprehensive revival package aimed at supporting both general and retail traders, the budget fell short of meeting these needs. “We were hopeful for significant initiatives, including the announcement of soft loans or a revival package tailored for general trade,” Shahdhar stated. “Regrettably, our sector has been left without any supportive measures, which raises concerns about the future of general trade in our region.”

One of the primary demands put forth by the KTA has been the call for power amnesty for commercial consumers, an issue that remains unaddressed in the current budget. Shahdhar highlighted, “Neither our demand for power amnesty for commercial consumers has found any place in the budget. This impacts our members and the community at large, who are grappling with high operational costs.”

While KTA acknowledged the provision of free electricity for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households as a positive step, Shahdhar pointed out that the measure has not been extended to the broader population as previously promised by the government. “We welcome the effort to support AAY households; however, it is essential for these benefits to be inclusive of the entire population to truly facilitate an equitable economic environment,” he added.

The KTA calls upon the government to revisit the concerns raised by the general trading community. They urge for the inclusion of dedicated provisions for the revival and support of general trade in future budget considerations.