Srinagar: Ahead of the presentation of Budget for fiscal 2018-19 in the state legislature, Minister for Finance Dr Haseeb Drabu held extensive deliberations with the Kashmir Inc at the Excise and Taxation Complex.
During the meetings, Drabu invited suggestions from the trade leaders that could be incorporated into the upcoming budget for reviving the economy of Jammu and Kashmir which has suffered immensely due to the natural disaster of 2014 and 2016 unrest.
The Kashmir Inc urged the Finance Minister to take immediate measures keeping in view the September 2014 Floods and the 2016 situation which had a debilitating impact on the business community, especially small traders and overall economy of the Kashmir Valley.
“Due to the situation of 2016 and the negative propaganda by Delhi-based news channels, the trade in Kashmir, particularly the tourism sector and various other industries have suffered badly. But we are taking corrective measures and some announcements will be made in the budget to address these issues,” said Drabu.
The Finance Minister underlined that many interventions carried out by the state government in various areas and the announcements made for sectors such as Walnut industry in last budget, have not been followed up by the industry leaders, resulting in wastage of funds.
The office bearers of Press Club Srinagar demanded immediate handing over of the 9-HB Polo View building to the body so that the Press Club is made be functional at the earliest. They also demanded operationalization of the Journalists Welfare Scheme for which the Government has earmarked a corpus fund of Rs 2 crore.
