Srinagar, Feb 11: In preparation for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly’s inaugural Budget session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a meeting on Tuesday with traders, tour operators, hoteliers, and education sector representatives to gather their input.
Delegates from various organizations, including the KCCI, FCIK, KTMF, the Travel Agents Association, and others, shared their recommendations for the upcoming budget. The KCCI delegation, led by senior vice president Ashiq Hussain Shangloo, secretary-general Faiz Bakshi, and Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, submitted a comprehensive document outlining the challenges and priorities across different sectors.
The KCCI emphasized the urgent need to address rising unemployment, urging budget allocations for sectors capable of generating jobs, fostering private sector growth, supporting entrepreneurship and start-ups, and enhancing skill development programs.
Additionally, the delegation requested incentives for handicraft exports, increased benefits for geographical indication (GI) products, and the establishment of an international exhibition mart.
Traders also advocated for the promotion of adventure tourism, the preservation of houseboats as cultural heritage, and the enhancement of Downtown (Shehr-e-Khas) as a heritage tourism site.
Further suggestions were made concerning Agriculture, Horticulture, Education, Industry, Health, and general trade. Rouf Tramboo, who attended the meeting, stated that they emphasized the need for increased funding for tourism development authorities.
“We highlighted the need to expand the carrying capacity at popular tourist destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam, as tourist numbers continue to rise. It’s essential to enhance the infrastructure and develop tourism-related facilities at these locations,” Tramboo noted. The promotion of Kashmir as a leading tourism destination was also discussed.
During the meeting, hoteliers voiced their concerns about difficulties in upgrading their facilities. There was also a call for a separate university focused on skill development.
The representatives expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister’s attentive listening and hope that their suggestions will be reflected in the forthcoming budget.
Previously, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted three consecutive pre-budget consultation meetings to gather insights from stakeholders across various industries. (KNO)
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