Srinagar January 25:(KNS) The PHDCCI J&K today organized the First Virtual Interaction Meet of Divisional Administration of J&K with Stakeholders, traders, civil society, Industry from both regions of J&K. Rahul Sahai Chair PHDCCI Jammu Welcomed Delegates and moderated session and Baldev Singh Raina Kashmir Chair welcomed Delegates and all the participants .
The Meeting was graced by Pandurang K Pole (IAS) Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Raghav Langer (IAS) Divisional Commissioner Jammu and Mehmood Ahmad Shah Director Industries Kashmir , Senior bank officials and other Senior Govt officers.
Rahul Sahai Chair Phdcci Jammu formally welcomed the delegates, in his opening remarks Stated that through the PHDCCI Virtual Session of Omicron Mild or Severe “Impact on Economy of J&K” we have tried our best to encompass all the sectors of trade & Commerce for presenting their views that how administration should move on in synchronization of stakeholders from different sectors. Rahul Sahai Said that the disruption in business is visible amply from the lack of public spending, tourism cancellation in J&K, cancellation of restaurant bookings, Cancellation of Marriage functions , air flight cancellations. Work from home and online teaching is again back with a bang, though we are optimistic that Omicron is less damaging than the previous virus wave but the restrictions and consumer caution has definitely reduced economic activity in the past few weeks further added that this is also a fact that we have to move forward with Covid 19 in place and we have to plan in such a manner so that our Lives and Our economy move simultaneously. Sahai sensitized administration that economy of Jammu is majorly dependent on marriages and marriage season and in this eco system so many employees salaries , sales and payment to suppliers and to their suppliers are involved , Sahai highlighted payments not done to hotels who were used as quarantine centres by administration and GMC is a major concern of this sector also said that as this wave is seeing less hospitalisation so regular meetings with stake holders and early decision of opening up of restrictions could save the economy of J&K . Appeals if cases are in control open up quickly. Smooth flow of tourist in Jammu should also be assured with Covid appropriate behaviour in place.
Baldev Singh Raina Chair PHDCCI Kashmir In his Opening remarks Stated that under the aegis of PHDCCI today we tried to meet the Divisional administration virtually so that the issues of Trade and Commerce will be listened online, as we know that the imposing Covid-related restrictions the economic activity is likely to get impacted due to third wave. He further added that today we would like to hear from our Divisional Administrations that what are the future programme government and what kind of Support government needs from Trade and Industry during these tough times. We will also take this opportunity to congratulate the divisional administration for working day and night for the development of our districts and it was added by Baldev that we have to be more responsible as we have to move with our livelihood and economic activities altogether.
Pandurang K Pole Divisional Commissioner Kashmir In his address congratulated the PHDCCI for bringing all business community of J&K in a Single Virtual Platform. While interacting with stakeholders Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said the Omicron has impacted the economy adversely, as lot of bookings have been cancelled and the International flights and other activities got halted to a certain level as we all know from last two years the Covid pandemic with different phases has given us tough challenges. Although the new variant of Omicron is spreading at very fast speed, but less hospitalization required is positive sign and presently we are passing through initial stages of this Omicron Phase. Mr Pole Said the administration is preparing for peak waive which we are trying to drag towards end of February through partial mild restrictions keeping in view the climatic winter conditions of Kashmir region and simultaneously we want to make economy run side by side. Pole also assured early payments pending of hotels taken as quarantine centres in last waves he immediately called dc Srinagar and confirmed from him regarding subject and said We are working for only positive effects and we are trying our level best to make lesser impact of 3rd Waive of Covid in our economy and livelihood. He further added that it was for the first time that this winter season we have crossed 1-Lakh Tourist which was not going beyond few thousands earlier. The administration made an appeal to the business and trading community not to relive employees and do not do salary cuts or switch towards recession that will be great help to the society, and asked for generous donation to Red Cross Society of J&K in addition to the Continuous philanthropist Activities that the trade and other religious and civil societies are doing in Kashmir region. The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir appreciated the initiative taken by PHDCCI to hold the Virtual Interaction for discussing the pros and cons directly with stakeholders.
Dr Raghav Langer Divisional Commissioner Jammu In his address extended Sincere thanks to PHDCCI for Organizing this kind of First Virtual meet and he said that it goes without saying that industry and commerce and all our partners, they remain the driver of the economy and no state no country can think can maintain, growth, GDP without giving the recognition to the industry and commerce and to the economic activity . Mr Raghav further added that we are quite sensitized to the requirements to the issues like early opening of restrictions on marriage functions , making it to 25% against the capacity of the halls and pending payments of hotels used as quarantine centres relaxation in night curfew timings when cases are stable , I also assure you regular interactions and timely decisions by administration I thank you all, for all the support that has been rendered by our partners from the industry and commerce, all the trade associations, all the market associations, and everyone. Mr Raghav Said that we have faced this problem and this situation together and I don't find even a single instance when there was some kind of a dichotomy in our opinion and I think the phases of lockdown and unlock as it happened, we have all seen it. We have lived through it, and just weren't getting it. We have seen the waxing and waning clothes like the first wave, the second wave and now the third wave. Mr Raghav Said that in fact, we were also looking for winter and offbeat tourist destinations in Jammu division and we were all focusing on the influx of tourists to new destinations and enhancing our potential and the niche areas also. However, the third wave has led to some kind of maybe the change of plans, but I am very sure that like we were discussing in the previous sessions, we are hopeful that this particular curve should flatten sooner, I think is that even with Jammu division seeing almost 13,500 active cases as on date, our bed occupancy of the level one and level two care facilities still remains less than 7%. Whereas in the same previous phase, it was approaching 60-70-80%. So I think we should be able to pass over this phase but it goes without saying that the COVID appropriate behaviour needs to be followed and all of us are fighting jointly responsible to ensure that we follow the SOP and the guidelines on the vaccination front. Mr Raghav extends thanks all association’s and Trade bodies for partnering with divisional administration for implementation of Weekly Lockdown. further added that I'm very sure that together we'll be able to sail through the third wave and both the divisional commissioners noted down all the points raised by the participants from various associations and ensured the audience that this platform will definitely make them to understand the issue better and the administration will definitely revert back also on the requisite measures that are required.
Other notables from trade and industry who spoke are Mushtaq Ahmed Chaya, MC PHDCCI and Chairman JK Hoteliers Club, Kuldeep Gupta, Co-Chair PHDCCI Jammu, Vikrant Kuthiala MC PHDCCI , Sheikh Ashiq President KCCI , Sanjay Bansal , Chairman (FAIVM) Federation of All India Vyapar Mandal J&K Chapter , Jan Muhammad Kaul , PHDCCI-Kashmir Convenor General Trade & FMCG, Imran Anim, Cement Manufacturers Association J&K, Sanjeev Prabhakar from Banquet , Hotel , Bar & Restaurant Association of Jammu , RK Kokroo from Civil Society Jammu, Dr Anita Sharma, Teachers association, Sajad Tariq-from District Rajouri, Tariq Secretary General JK Hoteliers Club, Imran, President Industrial Association Khonmoh, Ovais Jamie Secretary General, FCIK and Farooq Amin Secretary General KCCI.
The meeting was attended by Trade and Commerce from Jammu and Kashmir and the meeting was conducted for 2- Hours and all points raised by Trade and Commerce were noted down and replied appropriately by the Divisional Administration. The session was moderated by Rahul Sahai, Chair PHDCCI Jammu and formal vote of thanks was extended by Mr Baldev Singh Raina Chair PHDCCI Kashmir and the Webinar was attended by more than 70- Trade and Commerce representatives of J&K.(KNS)