| PHDCCI–HRAK delegation discussed key issues concerning tourism, trade, industry with Commissioner | | | 
early times report
Katra, Nov.10: A joint delegation of PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Jammu Region & Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra (HRAK) held a comprehensive meeting today with Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Vikramjit Singh, who graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Nidhi Malik; Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organization, Sudershan Kumar; Special Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Rashapul Singh; Asstt.Chief Conservator of Forests Vinay Khajuria,President HRAK and Chairman PHDCCI Jammu Region, Rakesh Wazir; HRAK Chairman, Shyam Lal Kesar; and Senior Vice President, Virender Kesar were prominently present.
During the meeting, the delegation submitted a comprehensive memorandum highlighting critical demands and suggestions vital for the survival, sustenance, and growth of trade, commerce and industry, along with the revival and promotion of tourism across Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in the Jammu region.
Rakesh Wazir urged the Government to extend the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS), which expired on 30 September 2024, with special provisions favouring local stakeholders of the Union Territory. It was suggested that renovation and up-gradation of existing hotels, along with expansion of existing industrial units, be incorporated within the scheme by adopting clauses similar to the Substantial Expansion component of the 2017 Industrial Package.
The members emphasized that investors should be encouraged to invest in infrastructure-linked tourism projects such as large hotels, boarding schools, universities, medical colleges, multi-specialty hospitals, hotel management institutes and Haveli-type destination restaurants, which today significantly support health tourism, education tourism, spiritual tourism and adventure tourism.
Shyam Lal Kesar requested that incentives presently available to industry should also be extended to existing hotel, industrial and service-sector units. It was pointed out that when GST was introduced, the hotel sector—earlier under the zero percent tax slab—was assured reimbursement. While GST reimbursements have begun for industry, hotels continue to await relief. Likewise, industrial power tariff benefits available to hotels until 31 March 2019 should be restored. A formal notification was requested so that benefits extended to manufacturing units are also made available to tourism units under the MSME service category.
Virender Kesar said that to enrich the visitor experience, proposals included a Light & Sound Show on Maa Vaishno Devi’s history in Katra, infrastructural enhancement of Mansar Lake including battery-operated tourist vehicles, and establishment of an interactive tourism museum depicting Jammu’s heritage.
He further said that considering Katra’s compact geography, beautification on the pattern of the Golden Temple and Chandni Chowk projects was strongly advocated, including underground wiring and robust sanitation.
The delegation also requested early development of already identified industrial parks around Katra and exploration of new sites for non-polluting pilgrimage-linked industries to encourage production of Prasad, chavanprash, dry fruits, pickles, spices, honey, patkas, chunris, jute bags, photographs and other devotional products, thereby creating employment and value addition.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Vikramjit Singh gave a patient hearing and assured sympathetic consideration of all issues. |
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