Srinagar: Chairman of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kashmir region, Baldev Singh Raina has thanked J&K’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for the special Rs 2.92 crore relief package to tourism sector stakeholders of J&K.
In a statement, Mr. Baldev said the livelihood package of Rs 2.92 Cr for shikarawalas, tourist guides, pony walas, dandiwalas, sledge walas and paliki walas would help in alleviating economic suffering among these section of the tourism sector.
“The package would be of immense help in these circumstances, and we appreciate the fact that given the strain of the government finances it is not an easy thing to release financial package”, Mr Baldev said.
Maintaining that while lakhs of employees are working directly or indirectly with tourism business houses and the owners of these businesses are paying salaries, rents and other overheads, Mr Baldev has appealed the government that all fixed charges of power and other charges/taxes be waived to the tourism businesses ‘otherwise many businesses may collapse and will be closed.’
“Tourism, automobile and education sectors are leading sources of employment and job creation for J&K today and are providing a high volume of jobs for low skilled workers, together with higher skilled jobs. These sectors employ many seasonal, proffesional, part-time and temporary workers. With the impact of the crisis is expected to continue over May June-July-August and reduced capacity for many industry branches, many of these jobs will be directly affected”, Mr Baldev further said, adding “in normal circumstances, the sector can help provide diverse employment opportunities for educated, skilled men and women, students and older workers, not only in major cities but also in remote, rural areas of J&K, as well as other often economically fragile locations where alternative opportunities are very limited.”
“In these circumstances, government will need to take a balanced, measured and coordinated policy action in order to protect people, while minimizing job losses and business closures”, Mr Baldev said.
