Srinagar, May 7 (KNS): PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI-J&K) - the voice of the Business sector in J&K- has expressed full confidence in the efforts made by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to confront Covid-19 in J&K.
The PHD Chamber in a statement issued to KNS has extended its appreciation to the J&K Administration in charge of dealing with the 2nd wave of the pandemic of the outbreak of the emerging Coronavirus COVID-19 and extended thanks to the Doctors, all Health workers in public and private sectors, the Armed Forces, J&K Police, and the security bodies for their endeavours, sincerity and hard work in serving J&K under these unprecedented times.
The Chairman PHDCCI-Kashmir, Baldev Singh Raina expressed deep gratitude to the Administration for ensuring the release of 250 Cr Interest Subvention and he also urged the government in view of the prevailing conditions for release of the balance pending amount on priority.
Raina added, the Chamber stands side by side with all government departments, and with the effects of the pandemic that rapidly changes and is becoming ugly day by day, the Chamber highly appreciates the great response of the government in charge of dealing with the pandemic in general, especially in the economic aspect and taking a number of decisions especially release of 250 Cr during these tough and financial and economic condition of country, we are thankful to LG led administration who listen attentively to the Chamber as the main representative of the private sector and invite it to attend some meetings whenever needed, it also considers with appreciation the cooperation from the concerned authorities in the economic affairs and the continuous coordination with it to discuss some solutions to address the economic impacts based on the meaningful dialogue in the framework of achieving the national interest that is compatible with the roles, interests and responsibilities of all stakeholders.
The Chamber is aware that the current economic situation affects all economic sectors, whether at the local or international level, although there are sectors at this stage that will be affected more than others, such as tourism, hospitality and retail, especially those small and medium enterprises.
However, the crisis will affect more sectors such as industry, companies of all rankings, and large companies as well due to the lack of financial flows. Raina added that at this juncture we need to understand that if this second wave of COVID-19 pandemic lashes J&K with severity, it will not be just the middle class who will be affected but millions are likely to overwhelmingly bear the brunt of the suffering which will ensue and can particularly decimate the survival probabilities and fragile livelihoods of the poor.
He further said that we as an individual and as an Organisation should reach out to vulnerable communities and individuals in our locality, relation, friends and besides that we need to support the elderly and children, we also need to take some burden off frontline health workers by supplementing public health systems, supplying hygiene kits, Oxygen concentrators and supporting the establishment of free temporary quarantine facilities.
He further stated that considering the capacity of the health system of J&K to deal with the pandemic when it already submerged the rest of the country, we have the only option left to religiously follow the measures adopted by the government to stymie the progress of the virus by adopting ‘work from home, and I with my folded hands urge people to wash their hands frequently, keep physical distancing, and then follow the unprecedented lockdown and to forgo traditional festivity of EID in view of the hundreds of fatalities caused by the coronavirus. Baldev wants the citizens of Kashmir to "observe the Eid festival in a different manner from the usual celebratory style.
We need to think and pray for all those families who have been deprived of their loved ones to Covid-19 and are struggling with this deadly virus, he said in a statement (KNS)