Big economic package for J&K soon: LG

Says details of the package --- that will cover all, including the biz community --- will be out in a week’s time

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) will soon get an ‘outstanding’ package to tide over the economic crisis, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday.

Sinha said that he was aware of that business and trade had been affected in the Union Territory (UT) not just recently but also over the past two decades.

“Industry and trade in J&K have not only been affected over the past 15-16 months but also over the past 15-20 years,” he said. Sinha said a committee had been formed to assess trade in the region and they had come out with a report, which is under the government of India’s consideration.

“It will be revealed in a week’s time. I can say that such a package has never been received by J&K,” he said, adding that not just the business community but everybody will be covered in the package.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration had last month constituted a five-member committee to work out modalities for the economic revival in the UT in the backdrop of the incessant restrictions and lockdowns since August 5 last year. The committee, headed by Sinha’s advisor Kewal Kumar Sharma, was framed after representatives of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry met Sinha at the Raj Bhawan.

The committee was formed to work out modalities for economic revival and propose measures for extending support to the reeling business community.He said experts will frame an integrated programme for the development of Srinagar and Jammu cities along with its water bodies.

“Experts all over the country are working to develop an integrated programme not only for Jammu and Srinagar but also for Dal Lake and Wular; on how to revive them,” he said.

Sinha said the administration has zero-tolerance towards corruption and discrimination between Jammu and Kashmir divisions.

It will be outstanding .... Something J&K has never received.