Govt committed to address concerns of traders: CM

Srinagar, May 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed his government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the trading community and facilitating economic revival in the region.
The Chief Minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting with a delegation of traders from across the Kashmir Valley, under the banner of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), led by its Chairman, Mohammad Yaseen Khan.
“We will strive to make the best possible use of the resources currently available to us,” the Chief Minister said. “It is true that our economy is not as strong as it should be. However, this situation has not developed overnight—it has been unfolding over the years.”
Responding to the issues raised by the traders, the Chief Minister assured that all concerns—including those related to encroachments on main roads , market access, infrastructure deficiencies and allied facilities—had been duly noted and would be addressed on priority.
“I have directed the concerned departments to engage with traders respectfully and ensure they are not subjected to unnecessary inconvenience. Issues related to development, street vendors blocking way in front of shopkeepers, and market accessibility must be resolved through mutual cooperation,” he emphasized.
Highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts in response to a query raised regarding healthcare in the districts, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah informed the delegation that several key infrastructure projects were underway. “We have already placed orders for critical medical equipment such as cath labs and MRIs for our hospitals. Additionally, I have instructed the Finance Department to release funds for the macadamization of roads to improve our road infrastructure,” he said.
Stressing the importance of strengthening the local economy, Omar Abdullah said, “We are working to prioritize local contractors in public works so they, too, can benefit from development initiatives.”
He also assured the delegation that the issues related to interest subvention and the deferment of monthly instalments of bank loans would be taken up with the Union Finance Ministry.
“We will continue to pay close attention to your issues and make every possible effort to resolve these” the Chief Minister said.
Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta and other senior officers were present during the meeting.
Earlier, the traders’ representatives highlighted a range of issues, including interest subvention, the deferment of three monthly bank loan instalments, poor road connectivity, lack of adequate marketplaces, and subsidized transport charges for air-conditioned vans used in transporting horticultural produce to terminal markets in South Indian States.