The order issued by Jammu and Kashmir government asking tourists and Amarnath yatris to immediately curtail their stay in Kashmir will have an adverse impact on the economy, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference, KCCI president, Sheikh Ashiqsaid various sectors such as handicrafts, transport associated with the tourismindustry will also suffer huge losses. “There are lakhs of people directly orindirectly associated with the tourism and handicrafts sector. The suddenexodus of tourists and yatris will have a far-reaching impact on Kashmir’seconomy. The uncertainty arising out of this situation is also doing hugedamage,” said Ashiq.
Ashiq said apart from the thousands of holidaymakers, lakhsof skilled and unskilled workforce from outside the state working in the Valleyare also panic-struck due to the order. “We are afraid that dozens ofdevelopmental projects will come to a stand-still as The order has not onlyforced tourists and yatris to leave the valley but has also triggered amigration of the work force and labour working in various business,developmental and infrastructural projects in the Valley,” said Ashiq.
Ashiq said the chamber has sought an appointment withGovernor Satya Pal Malik to apprise him about the impact of such orders onlocal economy.
The KCCI president urged the governor administration toprovide clarity on the frequent government orders being issued.
Ashiq said the prevailing situation has forced severalforeign countries to issue travel advisories which is quite alarming.