Srinagar, May 27: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Thursday urged the government to facilitate the gradual opening of the automotive sector stating that being a minimal contact business won’t risk spread of COVID-19 infection.

In this regard, a delegation of the members of the KCCI led by Nasir Hamid Khan held an interaction with the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Mohamad Aijaz regarding the problems being faced by the automobile dealers and hospitality sector.

The KCCI delegation requested that automotive sector be declared as a semi-essential category in view of it being a minimal contact business which would not risk spread of the COVID infection.

“Vehicles plying on the roads for essential services including those of doctors were suffering damages for want of repairs and maintenance which could hamper critical activities,” Nasir Khan said.

There is also the important issue of the livelihood of persons connected with this sector especially mechanics and tyre-shops workers, he said.

He requested the DC Srinagar, who is also DDMA Chairman, to consider categorisation of this sector as semi-essential and facilitate its gradual opening.

Aawan Ahmad Narwaroo, representing the Kashmir Automobile Chamber of Industries and Commerce, stated that automobile dealers were facing problems because of their inability to conduct the sales of their stocks which has resulted in the buildup of huge inventories of vehicles.

He said although the activity was a minimal contact one because of being conducted online, there was no reason to disallow its sales.

“The buildup of unsold vehicles also resulted in a huge capital blockade in view of the high value of the product and also caused avoidable losses to the revenues of the government as taxation component on the automobiles was quite high,” he added.

Meanwhile, the delegation also raised the issue of allowance of home delivery for restaurants and cafés and for favourable consideration of gradual opening up of the sector as the vaccination process was being done at a fast pace.         

They thanked the DC for the organised manner in which the vaccinations were being done by the administration in the Srinagar city and hoped that the vaccination exercise would be over at the earliest so that economic activities resume fully.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Mohamad Aijaz said the projected issues and suggestions would be considered favourably and necessary directions in this regard will be issued shortly after taking stock of the COVID situation in Srinagar.

Police destroys bung cultivation in Shopian

Shopian, May 27: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday destroyed bung cultivation in village Melhoora Wachi area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district.

A statement said, a team destroyed bung cultivation spread over seven kanals of land in village Melhoora Wachi area of Shopian.

Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law has been registered against two accused Gull Padder son-in-law of Abdul Salam Ganie resident of Wachi and Mohammad Yousuf Allie son of Late Habibullah resident of Melhoora Wachi for cultivation of bung.

“General public of the area have appreciated the action of Shopian police and have urged to continue such drives in nearby areas also,” the statement said.

Police have sought cooperation of the people and urged community members to come forward with any information regarding cultivation of contrabands in their neighbourhood.

“Persons found indulging in drug peddling and cultivation of contraband substances shall be dealt as per law.

“Our consistent actions against such anti-social elements should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace,” the police statement said.