Srinagar, Feb 27: President Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Nazir A Dar today said the union budget 2010-11 had come against their expectations vis-à-vis Kashmir-centric incentives.
 “We were expecting the budget would announce some Kashmir-centric incentives and policies, but there is nothing like that,” he said.
 “We had already communicated to the prime minister and finance minister that we need Kashmir-centric incentives and policies. But we are disappointed,” Dar said.
 However, he said the chamber appreciated Rs 500 crore allocation for Ladakh for setting up micro power projects. “This is welcome but the question is that if government of India can do it for Ladakh, why not for Kashmir?,” the KCCI president asked.
 He said sick industry in Kashmir needed Rs 500 crore to 600 crore for revival. “Had this amount been granted, it would not only help revive the infrastructure, but also generate huge employment in Kashmir,” said Dar.
 The KCCI, he said, was expecting one-time debt relief for Kashmir industry, but that too had not been done.
 Echoing Dar, president Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers’ Federation (KTMF), Muhammad Sadiq Baqal said the budget had no major relief for the Kashmir Valley.
 “This budget is nothing but total disappointment for us. We cannot welcome it, since there is no special announcement for the Valley, especially for the general trade here,” said Baqal.
 He said the KTMF was expecting petrol prices and transportation charges to be reduced, “but the reverse has been done.”
 Rouf A Punjabi, proprietor Handicraft Exports Corporation and former president KCCI said for J&K there was nothing appreciable in the budget.
 He said hike in diesel and petrol prices was going to affect Kashmir more than any other place, “for we are at the extreme end and a big consumer state.”
  “The prices of vegetables and other food items in our state are usually much more than that of other states. This is because we have got severe transport problems,” said Punjabi.
  “In other places, the goods reach by train. But here in J&K, especially in Kashmir, the same come through trucks. So our main concern is hike in fuel prices,” he said.
 Punjabi said they had been trying hard to promote tourism in the state. “But now with hike in fuel prices, airfare is also likely to increase that will in-turn affect Kashmir tourism,” he said.
 Besides, he said, the traders were expecting some special relief for the Valley, keeping in view the situation it has gone through during past two decades, “but again we are disappointed.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST