Srinagar, July 3:(KNS)   In view of the situation in the last two years in the Valley, Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) has taken up the issue of concessions to the traders and shopkeepers in view of financial losses. A delegation of Kashmir Trade Alliance (KTA) led by President Ajaz Ahmed Shahdhar on Saturday called on the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole and apprised him of the difficulties faced by shopkeepers and traders.

Shahdhar said that in the last two years situation, lockdowns and epidemics, the closures of business establishments and shops caused a severe financial crisis, resulting in a deficit of about Rs 50,000 crore. He said that the shops belonging to religious, social and welfare associations including Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Municipal Committees, Municipal Councils, Srinagar Development Authority, other local bodies, semi-autonomous departments should provide concession in rent of shops, offices and other establishments. He said that other sections of the society also have a responsibility to help small traders.

During the meeting, the delegation of Kashmir Trade Alliance also raised the issue of losses incurred by shopkeepers and traders during the catastrophic floods in 2014. He apprised the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir of the relief checks provided by the administration after the floods.

“Hundreds of them are still owed” He said. He demanded that the checks be immediately deposited in the bank accounts of the affected vendors and shopkeepers. KTA delegation led by Ajaz Shahdhar demanded an end to the weekend lockdown in view of the declining number of Covid 19 cases in the valley and said that traders were facing severe financial constraints.

Expressing concern over the lack of parking for vehicles in the city, he said that despite the dense shopping malls at Jahangir Chowk, Badshah Chowk and adjoining areas, there was no parking space for traders and buyers.

“They face severe hardships and this has a direct impact on their business” Shahdhar said

Traders said during a meeting with Div. com Kashmir that although many roads have been laid and repaired this year, dozens of roads are still under construction. He also apprised the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir of the unavailability of drinking water in the Markets and urban areas.

 Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole patiently listened to the Kashmir Trade Alliance delegation and assured that the issue of removal of weekend Lockdown would be taken up after Eid.  He said Cases are coming up, while the vaccination campaign is not over yet. He said that the decline in the number of cases is likely in the coming days. On the occasion, the Divisional commissioner spoke to Chief Engineer PHE ( Jal Shakti) on phone about the unavailability of drinking water and improving its access. The delegation also included Munder Singh, Fayaz Ahmed, Tanveer Khan, Sajad Haider, Mehrajdin Wani Shabbir Shall, Ghulam Nabi and Muhammad Rafiq.(KNS)