Governor NN Vohra had extensive discussions with the stakeholders of trade, tourism, transport, industry, education and members of civil society and heard their views on various important issues at the Civil Secretariat here yesterday.
The representatives of trade sought early disbursement of relief to the flood-affected traders. The Governor directed Divisional Commissioner Asgar Hassan Samoon to ensure that the disbursement of relief to the traders, on the lines started by the previous government, should be resumed before February 21.
The Governor sought suggestions of various stakeholders for the optimum utilisation of Rs 800 crore for interest subvention, as incorporated in the Prime Minister’s Package for extending relief to the traders. The stakeholders argued in favour of relief being also extended to Kisan Credit Card and Artisan Credit Card holders.
The Governor asked the Chief Secretary to ensure that the scheme for providing interest subvention for the flood-affected trade, tourism, transport and other business stakeholders should be finalised by February 21 and brought up for the approval of the State Administrative Council.
He directed the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to ensure the availability of high quality and high-density fruit plant rootstock in Kashmir and to speed up setting of high quality fruit plant nurseries in Kashmir.
Khurshid Ahmed Ganai and Parvez Dewan, Advisers to Governor; BR Sharma, Chief Secretary; BB Vyas, Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development; PK Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Governor; K. Rajendra Kumar, DGP; RK Goyal, Principal Secretary, Home and; Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani, IGP, Kashmir were among those who were present during these discussions.
The issues raised in the meeting included early establishment of the proposed International Trade Centre at Pampore, extension in validity of registration of hotels for 10 years, renewal of transport licences at Srinagar, completion of work by the School Fees Fixation Committee, extending registration of private schools to 10 years, resumption of holiday special trains from major cities to J&K during the tourist season, extending exemption from lodging tax, creation of attractive avenues for tourists during the evening hours, improvement of civic amenities, early finalisation of Srinagar Master Plan, improving connectivity to the Kashmir valley, effective measures to deal with drug addiction, sale of spurious drugs, condemnation policy for old vehicles, finalisation of new industrial policy, imposition of enhanced import duty on apples from abroad, among others.
Resume flood relief disbursement by Feb 21, Guv tells Div Com
