Budget a mixed bag: Kashmir Inc

M Aamir Khan
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, December 16

Valley-based businessmen on Sunday gave mixed reactions to the state Budget approved by Governor Satya Pal Malik-headed State Administrative Council.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, J&K chapter, chairman Mushtaq Chaya, said the allotment of Rs 130 crore for tourism promotion in addition to Rs 2,000 crore under Prime Minister’s Development Plan for infrastructure upgrade was welcome even as he pointed out that announcements in the last year’s Budget were yet to be implemented.

“Allocating Rs 130 crore for tourism promotion is welcome. During pre-Budget deliberations, we had demanded that allocation of funds for tourism promotional activities should be more than other states, such as Kerala, Rajasthan and Gujarat. We are glad that the demand has been met. However, we are still waiting for implementation of announcements made in the previous Budget, especially industrial power tariff for hotels. We hope these announcements do not remain confined to paper only and the government should expedite their implementation,” said Chaya.

Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry president Sheikh Ashiq said the Budget had mainly focused on building infrastructure but ignored several important sectors.

"The Budget is mostly infra based and some announcements on agriculture and horticulture sectors are welcome. However, many important areas have been ignored for example the handicraft sector, which is the backbone of our economy. The sector has been ailing especially for the past four years and is crying for attention. It has been completely forgotten," he said.