JAMMU: The Wholesale Grain Market, Ware House-Nehru Market, Jammu’s largest wholesale grain hub, has appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir administration to cooperate with local businesses during the ongoing festive season.
The Traders Federation, Ware House-Nehru Market, noted that trade in Jammu has been severely impacted over the past six months. While Navratri has brought some activity to the markets, the Federation expressed concern that certain government departments are creating hurdles, negatively affecting local businesses.
A meeting convened under the chairmanship of President Deepak Gupta highlighted issues faced by traders. Gupta stated that the State GST department has been conducting frequent vehicle checkpoints and imposing heavy fines for minor technical or typographical errors. While the Federation strongly opposes tax evasion, profiteering, or adulteration, it appealed to government officials to avoid harassment of traders in the course of inspections.
Gupta recalled that Jammu’s trade had not fully recovered from a series of setbacks, including the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindur, natural disasters in Chishoti, Kishtwar, and disruptions along the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi yatra route. Heavy rains and floods, coupled with the closure of the National Highway from Lakhanpur to Jammu and Jammu to Kashmir, caused losses worth crores of rupees for local businesses.
With the festive season offering a chance for recovery, Gupta warned that continued obstacles from government departments could jeopardize Jammu’s trade revival. He urged Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and direct officials to support traders during this crucial period.
Other Federation members present at the meeting included Dheeraj Mahajan, Senior Vice-President; Vishal Gupta, Vice-President; Abhimanyu Gupta, General Secretary; Rahul Gupta, Secretary; Nitish Gupta, Cashier; Munish Mahajan, Former Senior Vice-President, and members of the Potato-Onion Union including Ajay Gupta, President; Krishan Gupta, General Secretary; and Ravi Gupta, Cashier.
The Federation’s appeal highlights the urgent need for administrative support to ensure that local trade recovers and thrives during the festive season.
