Meets almost dozen bazar committees. Traders facing several issues in Srinagar, urge Divisional Administration to reach out to traders : KTMF

Srinagar, 05 June(KNS): Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) kickstarted its contact program of “meet & greet” of Srinagar district to listen to the problem faced by the business community. 

On the directions of President KTMF, Haji Mohammad Yaseen Khan adhoc  body of KTMF visited Hazratbal Dargah  zone and interacted with the trade community. 

The program was attended by scores of traders which include almost one dozen bazar committees and local trade associations of Hazratbal Dargah adjoining areas. 

The program was hosted by Asar Sharif Hazratbal Shopkeepers Union. KTMF was represented by Manzoor Ah Bhat, Bashir Ah Kongposh, Farooq Ah Shah, Mohd Shafi Darly & Firdous Ah Ganie. 

The meeting discussed the stress situation of the markets in the valley and ways to revive it with regard to all the adjoining bazar committees of Hazratbal zone in particular and District Srinagar in general. 

The issues of financial institutions like banks, service taxes, sanitation fee, prepaid smart meters, traffic jamming in Srinagar city and awareness on GST were also discussed threadbare at the meeting and all such issues will remain at the priority whenever any meetings are held with the administration. 

On the sidelines of programme Bashir Ah Kongposh highlighted the sole aim of Meet and Greet programme of listening to the concerns of shopkeepers. He said purpose of the meet and greet programme is to allow adhoc body to meet their fellow traders and engage in more natural conversation in their respective markets than a formal meeting at Head Office of KTMF. 

He emphasised the need for collective efforts to increase the existing trade volume of our region.  “We have to identify problems and find solutions to the issues coming in the way of trade promotion. Government should engage  with the business community on the all trade-related matters through consultation”, Bashir added. 

The adhoc body after reviewing the day-to-day affairs of the Federation instructed the local Presidents of bazar committees to focus on ground level works which are the basic needs of a trader and advised them to give first preference to any issue faced by a common trader. 

It’s pertinent to mention that the KTMF is largest apex body of traders in Kashmir representing some twenty lakh traders and four hundred trade associations  across the Valley which has representation from all the districts of Kashmir. KTMF urged upon the incumbent  Divisional Administration for formulation of a comprehensive plan to address grievances of the business community. 

Those who were part of the programme include Chairman Asar e Sharif Hazratbal Shopkeepers Union Mohammad Rafi Khan, President Milad Shopping Complex Hazratbal Imtiyaz Ahmad Yattoo, President Asar Sharif Hazratbal Shopkeepers Union Hilal Ahmad Sofi, President Traders Association Hazratbal Abdul Majeed Wani, President Nowshehra Traders Shabir Ahmad Naqash along with General Secretary, President Soura Traders Association Mohammad Ashraf Sidiqui, President Batpora Hazratbal Gassoo Parvaiz Ah Dar along with General Secretary, President Nishat Traders Manzoor Ah Hagroo along with General Secretary , President Lal Bazar Traders Peer Intikhab Aalam, President Ellahi Bagh Traders Hilal Ahmad Beigh, General Secretary Ellahi Bagh Arshid Naqash and President Iqra Market Jamia Masjid Nisar Ahmad Zargar.(KNS).