Political analyst Javed Iqbal Shah meets Union Secretary Minority Affairs

Srinagar, Dec 5: Eminent political analyst and writer from Kashmir Javed Iqbal Shah recently met with the Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, Dr Chandra Shekhar Kumar, IAS.

As per a press release, the meeting saw Javed Iqbal Shah voice a widely felt demand for in principle accord of the Ministry to establishing a dedicated national level Chamber of Commerce for minorities mandated to handhold and facilitate entrepreneurs, skilled craftsmen, small manufacturers and others among the minorities while devising schemes that impart financial, administrative help for skill development training to unemployed youth and various self help groups. He also urged the Secretary that the Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) must ensure the spread and percolation of financial assistance in Kashmir to those eligible, given the post Pahalgam stress in the Valley's traditional tourism economy. Javed Iqbal Shah was accompanied by Director General of the prestigious Dr Ambedkar Chamber of Commerce (DACC), Inder Atwal Singh, vice-president BJP Punjab besides entrepreneurs and artisans from Kashmir.

The DACC is a leading Chamber of Commerce body that espouses facilitation and empowerment of the underprivileged and minorities in India. The Secretary acknowledged the genuineness of the proposal and assured early, concerted action.

The meeting followed a persistent demand by a number of entrepreneurs, small and micro manufacturers, artisans and craftsmen of Kashmir & Jammu based in and outside the UT who had in recent days urged Javed Iqbal Shah, to use his good offices and network with the central government, for effective outreach, synergy and speedy facilitation by the Minority Affairs Ministry on a scale that actually gives a much needed fillip to their aspirational objectives.