KTMF delegation meets CM, seek immediate business revival measures

Srinagar, Dec 10: A delegation of Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Jammu and discussed in detail the “growing hardships” faced by the trading community across the Valley.
During the meeting, the delegation led by its KTMF president Mohammad Yaseen Khan and accompanied by senior functionary Qazi Tauseef, said the business sector is going through “one of its toughest phases”.
The Federation, according to a statement, told CM that markets are witnessing a steep decline in sales and traders are facing an unprecedented financial crunch.
“The small and medium traders are reeling under mounting financial stress caused by increasing bank liabilities, high interest burdens and extremely limited working capital support from financial institutions,” the delegation said
The KTMF expressed concern that without substantial relief mechanisms, many long-standing business establishments are finding it difficult to sustain operations or recover from successive economic setbacks.
It called for the modernisation of traditional markets across Srinagar and other districts. “The decades-old market structures now suffer from poor infrastructure, inadequate parking facilities, erratic power supply and lack of digital support systems, all of which are collectively hampering business growth,” the delegation said. They requested the government to take up market redevelopment and infrastructure strengthening as priority initiatives.
The KTMF also expressed serious concern over the worsening traffic jams in Srinagar city and other districts, which, they said, have turned into a persistent hurdle for trade movement. “The unregulated traffic and congested routes have not only discouraged customer footfall but have also increased transportation delays significantly, impacting commercial activities in major business hubs,” it said.
Another key issue raised during the meeting was the rising number of frequent fire incidents, which have caused repeated devastation in markets and inflicted heavy losses on traders, the statement said. KTMF urged the government to strengthen fire safety infrastructure and introduce preventive measures to safeguard congested commercial areas.
The delegation said serious concern was raised over the deteriorating trade environment due to unregulated street vending and growing encroachments in market corridors.
“KTMF told the Chief Minister that these issues are severely affecting organised business zones and causing disruption to shopfronts, customer movement, and overall market discipline. It called for a balanced approach that safeguards both livelihoods and organised trade,” the statement added.
The Federation pressed for a comprehensive business revival plan to restore confidence among traders. They requested targeted interventions from the government, including financial support mechanisms, infrastructure improvements and strict enforcement of traffic regulation measures to ease the difficulties being faced by the trading community.
KTMF president Khan said, “Chief Minister Omar Abdullah gave us a patient hearing and assured us that all genuine issues put forth by KTMF would be taken up for timely redressal. He also acknowledged the vital role played by KTMF in representing lakhs of traders and reaffirmed the government’s willingness to work closely with the KTMF for the overall economic stability of Kashmir.” (KNO)