Jammu traders' body threatens agitation post Amarnath Yatra

Srinagar : Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an influential body of traders, on Monday threatened to launch an agitation after the ongoing Amarnath Yatra ends.

Rakesh Gupta, president of the industry body, told reporters: "The issues and aspirations of Jammu were neglected during the over three years of coalition rule in the state.

"It was the non-performance of BJP leaders like former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and his failure to coordinate with his team of ministers that have left the people of Jammu shattered and with a feeling of being cheated after giving the mandate."

He said they are now ready for the final fight for justice as soon as the Amarnath Yatra ends, if the long-pending demands are not met on an urgent basis. The issues have already been brought to the notice of Governor N.N. Vohra through a written communication, he added.

"The chamber has already decided to meet the Governor in person, his advisors and the Chief Secretary mainly on the issues of relocating Rohingyas, construction of AIIMS on a fast-track basis, resumption of work for an Artificial Lake on River Tawi, infrastructure at Suchetgarh for Border Tourism, completion of Mubarak Mandi on Heritage Lines and outsourcing of super speciality hospital at Meheshpura."

Decisions taken earlier this year by the coalition government regarding amnesty on power, refund of SGST, and applying the power tariff meant for the industry to hotels and resorts need to be implemented on a fast-track basis, Gupta said.

He also expressed displeasure over what he called the unchecked menace of drugs threatening the younger generations.