STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: BJP Spokesperson for Jammu & Kashmir UT , Gaurav Gupta today called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan, Srinagar, and submitted a detailed memorandum of demands highlighting the urgent need for relief measures to revive industrial and trade activities in Jammu, along with support for residents affected by cross-border shelling.
Expressing grave concern over the deteriorating condition of Jammu’s business ecosystem, Gaurav Gupta emphasized the severe manpower shortage due to large-scale labour migration, disrupted supply chains, and plummeting market demand-a combination that has pushed numerous industrial units and trading establishments to the brink of closure.
In the memorandum, the BJP Spokesperson highlighted immediate release of pending GST refunds amounting to nearly Rs 20 crore, currently lying with the Gandhi Nagar Treasury. He urged that this disbursement is essential to inject much-needed liquidity and avert financial collapse of many small and medium enterprises.
He also laid stress upon facilitation of interest subvention and Working Capital Demand Loans (WCDL) through J&K Bank on the lines of COVID-era relief measures for the welfare of business community. He requested that this financial support mechanism be revived to help struggling industrialists manage liabilities and revive operations.
Gaurav Gupta described the business community as the backbone of Jammu’s economy, providing direct and indirect employment to thousands. He expressed confidence that under the visionary leadership of LG Sinha, swift action will be taken to stabilize and rejuvenate the industrial sector.
In addition he also expressed deep concern over the growing sense of panic among border residents caused by unprovoked Pakistani shelling, which has gravely disrupted normal life in several villages. Emphasizing the urgent need for intervention, he appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to initiate immediate relief measures, including financial assistance for the affected border residents, members of the business community, and hoteliers, all of whom are grappling with uncertainty in the wake of the recent Indo-Pak conflict.
At the end, the LG Sinha giving a patient hearing and assuring that the concerns raised by Gaurav Gupta would be duly examined for necessary action.