STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Jammu Chapter, led by Chairman Rahul Sahai, along with members Samar Dev Charak, Anil Sharma, Ashish Jain, and Raj Dua, on Wednesday presented a detailed memorandum to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The memorandum addressed several key areas vital for the development of J&K, with a focus on local industry support, sports infrastructure, and exhibition initiatives. During the interaction, Sahai congratulated the Chief Minister and his colleagues, including Dr. Farooq Abdullah, on their successful completion of the Holy Umrah. The memorandum highlighted urgent measures for the growth of local industries, including the need for special packages, the timely disbursement of Rs 350 crores under the IDS 2017 scheme, and the clearance of 1,450 pending cases under the NCSS 2021 incentives.
Sahai also proposed an extension of the NCSS 2021 package, with an increased budget and 40 per cent of benefits earmarked for local entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusive industrial growth. In the realm of sports and exhibitions, Sahai emphasized the transformative potential of sports in boosting Jammu’s economy. He proposed the construction of two new stadiums and a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility, along with an advisory committee of experts to guide infrastructure development. Additionally, he called for the completion of the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Kathua and suggested an annual sports calendar featuring major events across the region. He also advocated for golf tourism promotion and increasing youth engagement in sports to counter drug abuse. For exhibitions, Sahai proposed organizing Surajkund-type melas and expanding district-level events, such as Baba Jito Mela, to generate economic activity and boost tourism.
He cited the recent success of the Legend League Cricket matches as an example of how such initiatives could position Jammu as a global destination.
Sahai concluded by reaffirming the ICC’s commitment to collaborating with the government for the region’s holistic development, expressing confidence that these recommendations would be positively considered for the benefit of Jammu & Kashmir’s citizens.