| News Details |
| Bhalla raises concerns over plight of traders and business community in J&K | |
Jammu, February 22 (Scoop News)- A well-attended public meeting was convened today at Sheanchak in the Jammu South constituency by JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla.
The programme was organized by Satpaul Mandi and Block President Miran Sahib Gurmeet Singh Gumma. A large number of local residents, party workers, and prominent citizens participated in the gathering and expressed their concerns regarding pressing public issues. Among others who addressed the gathering were Bishan Dass (Panch), Satya Devi (Panch), S. Gurcharan Singh, Mohinder Singh, Sarpanch Ashok Kumar, Bodh Raj Angurana, Ved Parkash, Charanjeet, Mohinder Lal, Sardari Lal, Om Parkash (Panch), Tarsem Lal, Rakesh (Panch), and Ranjan, who reiterated the need for strengthening grassroots democracy and ensuring people-centric governance.
Addressing the gathering, Raman Bhalla said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are facing immense hardships due to rising prices, unemployment, and lack of adequate development in several sectors. He expressed concern over the growing unemployment among educated youth and demanded a comprehensive recruitment drive to fill vacant government posts in various departments. Bhalla emphasized that the youth of J&K deserve better opportunities, skill development initiatives, and transparent recruitment processes to secure their future.
Bhalla further highlighted the worsening condition of basic civic amenities in many parts of Jammu South and adjoining rural areas. He pointed out irregular water supply, poor road connectivity, inadequate drainage systems, erratic power supply, and lack of proper healthcare facilities.
He urged the administration to prioritize development works at the grassroots level and ensure that funds allocated for public welfare are utilized efficiently and transparently. He stressed that Panchayati Raj Institutions must be empowered to address local issues effectively.
Raising the issue of inflation, Bhalla said that soaring prices of essential commodities, LPG, fuel, and daily-use items have severely affected middle-class families, farmers, and laborers. He also expressed concern over the plight of farmers who are struggling due to inadequate support prices, lack of irrigation facilities, and increasing input costs. He demanded timely compensation for crop losses and stronger support mechanisms to protect the agricultural community of J&K.
The senior Congress leader also spoke about the need to restore full democratic rights and statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the aspirations of the people can only be fulfilled through a fully functional democratic setup with elected representatives accountable to the public. Bhalla asserted that strengthening democratic institutions and safeguarding constitutional rights are essential for lasting peace, stability, and development in the region.
Concluding his address, Raman Bhalla assured the people that the Congress party would continue to raise their issues at every forum and fight for justice, employment opportunities, improved infrastructure, and social security measures. He called upon party workers to remain united and work tirelessly at the grassroots level to connect with the masses and highlight their concerns. The meeting concluded with a strong resolve to intensify efforts for safeguarding the rights and interests of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
JKPCC Working President Raman Bhalla has expressed serious concern over the growing hardships being faced by traders and the business community across Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. He said that small and medium traders, shopkeepers, transporters, hoteliers, and entrepreneurs are grappling with declining sales, rising operational costs, and policy uncertainties. The local markets, which form the backbone of the region’s economy, are struggling due to reduced purchasing power among consumers and increasing competition from online platforms without adequate regulatory safeguards.
Bhalla highlighted that frequent disruptions, inflationary trends, and inconsistent policy measures have severely affected trade activity in both urban and rural areas. He pointed out that rising electricity tariffs, high rental costs, and escalating GST compliance burdens have added to the financial strain on small business owners. Many traders, particularly in traditional markets, are finding it difficult to sustain their establishments, leading to closures and job losses. He stressed that the government must introduce relief measures, including tax rationalization and simplified compliance procedures, to ease the pressure on the business community.
Raising the issue of access to credit, Bhalla said that many small traders and start-ups are facing hurdles in securing affordable loans from financial institutions. He urged the administration to ensure easy and collateral-free credit facilities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and to expedite pending payments to contractors and suppliers. According to him, delayed payments and limited liquidity are choking the local economy and preventing businesses from expanding or even maintaining their current operations.
The senior Congress leader also underscored the importance of revitalizing tourism, which has a direct bearing on trade and commerce in J&K. He noted that hotels, restaurants, handicraft dealers, transport operators, and street vendors are deeply dependent on tourist inflow. Any slowdown in tourism immediately impacts livelihoods. Bhalla called for sustained promotion campaigns, infrastructure upgrades, and a stable environment to ensure consistent tourist footfall throughout the year, benefiting traders across the region.
Bhalla further emphasized the need to protect local industries and artisans, including those involved in handicrafts, handlooms, and small-scale manufacturing. He said that without adequate marketing support, export facilitation, and protection against cheap imports, these traditional sectors may suffer irreversible losses. He urged the government to create dedicated market zones, improve warehousing and logistics facilities, and provide skill development programmes tailored to emerging business needs.
Concluding, Raman Bhalla assured the traders and business fraternity that their concerns would continue to be raised at every appropriate forum. He advocated for a comprehensive economic revival package focused on tax relief, infrastructure development, employment generation, and business-friendly reforms. He reiterated that a strong and thriving business community is essential for economic stability, employment growth, and overall prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir.
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