The Kashmir Hoteliers Association (KHA) has demanded declaring of Kashmir valley as a tax-free tourist destination while the Kashmir Traders Association (KTA) has sought the easing of restrictions on the movement of goods from Lakhanpur to Lower Munda.

Participating in the pre-budget deliberation with finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather here the president of KHA, while forwarding his viewpoints, said that there is a need of promoting tourism industry as the hoteliers are wholly dependent on it. He also demanded facilities like adequate power supply so that tourists are able to put up in hotels during winters as well.

The representatives unanimously sought the assistance of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for projecting the cause of tourism sector both nationally and internationally so that more tourists are motivated to tour the world-famous tourist resorts of the state.

They also pleaded for declaring Kashmir Valley as tax-free tourist destination and asked for allocating sufficient funds to the tourism sector so that required infrastructure is developed for housing the tourists. Earlier, president, KTA, Jan Mohammad Koul, put forth various proposals needed to rejuvenate the business sector in the region. 

He pinpointed various impediments confronting the trade associations and sought easing of restrictions on the movement of goods from Lakhanpur to Lower Munda. The issue of negative impact on the economy caused due to recurring strikes was also raised and the KTA sought proper compensation for the losses incurred. 

The trade bodies also favoured formulation of a new trade policy for the state besides, advocating opening of the Mughal Road.
 
 

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