KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
A delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) headed by its President Mushtaq Ahmad Wani Tuesday called on Governor at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar.
A statement of the chamber issued here read that a number of issues were brought to his notice and discussed in detail.
The KCCI delegation raised the following issues:
- TOURISM ISSUES
(a) The State Government in the past levied 12.5% Service Tax to be charged from the tourists by the hotels which effected the tourist trade badly and is therefore on pleading by the Tourism fraternity, being exempted year after year at the time of finalization of annual budget proposals of the State. The same was discussed and pleaded for again by the KCCI delegation in the meeting today. Governor was pleased to appreciate and issue on the spot direction for exemption of the said service tax.
(b) While commending the renewed efforts made by the Department of Tourism for promotion of tourism by organising Road Shows and Travel Marts in cities other than metropolis of the Country, covering central India cities by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry affiliated tourism associations, the delegation discussed and sought organising two mega State sponsored events showcasing the Tourism-Handicrafts-Horticulture combine potential, facilities / infrastructure available and scope of its growth, at Mumbai and Gujarat each one at least of one weeks duration. Governor appreciated the need for such events and directed the Advisor In-charge Tourism to consider the proposal accordingly.
- ARTISAN CREDIT CARD SCHEME
As discussed by the delegation in detail, Governor issued instructions to bring the scheme at par with the Kisan Credit Card Scheme and extend all the relevant facilities to the Artisans in the same manner as are available under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme.
- EXPORTER / MANUFACTURER
Exporter / Manufacturer loans on lesser rate of interest to increase the manufacturing and export the handicrafts from the State were discussed and Governor was requested to consider priority lending on lesser rates of interest to the Exporter/ manufacturers to help promote exports from the State. Governor has been very kind to assure that the matter will be looked into.
- FALLOW FOREST LAND FOR WALNUT PLANTATION
The delegation has drawn the attention of His Excellency the Governor to the utilization of fallow forest land for plantation of high yielding Walnut variety plantation. Governor has very kindly agreed to have it examined.
- HORTICULTURE
The delegation while revealing the damage caused to the Apple orchards due to 2014 deluge made a fervent request to Governor with regard to (i) hybrid Apple Plantation and making the required saplings available for the same in the State as with the hybrid plantation the Apple production in the State is expected to increase manifold; and (ii) taking up the matter regarding Tree Spray Oil with Government of India for providing priority quota to the State. Governor assured that due consideration to the suggestion will be given.
- ROAD CLOSURE DURING DARBAR MOVE
The delegation brought to the notice of Governor the impact on the tourist inflow by closing the National Highway for tourist and other traffic during Darbar Move to facilitate smooth Darbar Movement and pleaded that the dates for the movement of Darbar related vehicles/carriers be notified/ announce in advance so that the tourists could schedule their travel programme accordingly and that the special permission be granted for movement of light tourist vehicles during the Darbar Movement. The point was taken and Governor issued instructions to the concerned accordingly.
- SRINAGAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RUN-WAY REPAIR
The Governor was informed by the delegation that the Airport Authority is learned to take up the repair of the run-way again this year. It was explained that the repair of the run-way during the peak tourist season affects the tourists inflow badly as the tourist due to inconvenience caused to them by disturbance in flight schedule, cancel and change their travel programme to Kashmir which in the long run results in low tourist turnover. Governor was accordingly requested to take up and ask the Airport Authority to avoid/ reschedule repair works of the run-way during the peak tourist season so as to allow smooth tourist movement.
