Jammu, Feb 9: The PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry today stressed for power sector reforms and revenue mobilization in J&K, with thrust on “forging public private participation in the tourism industry.”
 At a pre-budget meeting with finance minister today the Chamber said power reforms in the state was the need of the hour, while government should focus on ways to generate more revenues. The chamber also called for promoting public-private participation in tourism industry.
 Jammu Hotel Restaurant Bar Association, which also participated in the pre-budget meeting, demanded reduction in VAT on food and beverage from 13.5 per cent to 4 per cent, and continuation of tax holiday announced in last budget for five years to revive tourism sector in the State and implementation of guidelines regarding eco-tourism.
 During the six hour interaction with the representatives of different segments of trade and commerce including intellectuals, academicians, Jammu Hotel Restaurant Association, Transport Association, Institution of Public Opinion and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), various suggestions were put forth for the consideration of the government to make the new budget in tune with the aspirations of the trade and industry.
 Advisor, Jalil Ahmad Khan, Commissioner-Secretary, Finance, Sudhanshu Pandey, Commissioner, Commercial Taxes, Khawaja Bashir, Excise Commissioner, G. A. Peer and other officers were present in the meeting. Besides, Manoj Bhat, Prof. A. N. Sudhir, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Prof. Desh Bandhu Gupta, Prof. Dipender Sengupta, Chairman J&K State Committee, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu, Vikrant Kuthiala, President Jammu Hotel Restaurant Bar Association, H. S. Anand, 20 members team of Institute of Public Opinion led by its Chairman, Arun Sharma, CII led by Vicky Mahajan and other representatives of several segments of industry also attended the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Feb 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Feb 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 IST