Srinagar, Jan 18 (KNS): Kashmir Traders Manufacturing Federation (KTMF) and Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) on Wednesday staged token protest against the “unjustified and unwarranted rent increase by 3000 per cent by Wakf Board.”
The trade bodies had jointly set a week long deadline to the government asking them (government) to revoke the decision or face agitation.
A day after the deadline ended, the protesting traders assembled at Srinagar’s Press Enclave and chanted slogans against the Wakf Board. They were demanding immediate revocation of the decision.
Talking to KNS, the protesters said that the proposed hike in rent by JK Muslim Wakf Board on its properties including shops and commercial establishments will certainly affect the business of traders who are running their businesses in the Wakf assets on rent basis.
President of KCC&I Mushtaq Ahmad Wani and Secretary General KTMF Bashir Ahamad Kongposh who were leading the protest told KNS that they staged token protest today to convey the government that the business fraternity hasn’t forgotten the deadline (they) traders set a week ago.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Saying that the traders fraternity can go to any extend to press the authorities to fulfill the demands, the protesting traders said, “We won’t allow anyone to take any step, which would be against the traders.”
The traders said that they are already paying 15 per cent increase after ever three years but the unjustified and unwarranted rent increase by 3000 per cent by Wakf Board has put the livelihood of traders at stake, adding that “The hike in rent on Wakf properties will have a cascading effect on all shopkeepers across Kashmir.”
The protesters said that the business community was being pushed to the wall again and again and that it seems that the government wants the Kashmir Traders to take streets instead of conducting their businesses smoothly.
Appealing the Wakf board authorities to revoke their decision, the protesting traders told KNS that in case the government failed to tale any concrete step, then they will take extreme step for which the government will be held responsible.
However, the protesters later dispersed peacefully. (KNS)