Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Sept 22: Amid crisis situation, the Kashmir witnesses daily losses of Rs 100 crore due to shutdowns. Since August 5, the economy is shut in Kashmir.
A source in Industries and Commerce Department said that Kashmir is facing Rs 100 crore daily losses. "For last 49 days, the valley has suffered more than Rs 4300 crore losses to the economy. The same is affecting the Jammu region," the source said.
People associated with tourism sector have suffered huge losses after August 5 lockdown. Empty shikaras, vacant houseboats and deserted hotels present a grim picture of the tourism sector. In fact Shikarawallas have turned vegetable sellers to eke out living and sustain their families.
Prior to August 2, more than 5.21 lakh tourists and 3.40 lakh pilgrims had visited Kashmir.
Trade bodies claim that each day of shutdown, curfew and restrictions costs Rs 100 crore to business in Kashmir daily. These include tourism, trade, handicrafts, transport, horticulture and other sectors.
"There is no contact with our growers or dealers. The growers are unable to negotiate the rates with prospective buyers as there is no phone connectivity," a fruit grower said.
"We had fixed Rs 27.40 as transportation charges for each fruit box from Srinagar to Delhi and Rs 65 per box from Srinagar to Mumbai. This time rates have gone over the roof with truckers charging Rs 80 per box from Srinagar to Delhi and Rs 110 from Srinagar to Mumbai," he said.
Horticulture losses are just a tip of the iceberg of overall business environment in Kashmir. From tourism to trade to transport, Kashmiri businessmen are staring at huge losses this year.
On the other side the government claimed to have opened 3037 primary, 774 middle and scores of high schools in 10 districts of valley in the last one month. But the attendance has been very thin with parents preferring not to send their wards given the precarious security situation. |
