The News Caravan

Tag: KCCI

  • KCCI Addresses Concerns With EPFO Recovery And Penalty Notices

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    SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) recently held a meeting on April 28th 2023, with Mr. Rizwan ud din, Commissioner of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in Jammu and Kashmir, to address concerns expressed by KCC&I member entities regarding recovery and penalty notices issued by EPFO under various provisions, particularly under Section 14B of the EPFO MFACT.

    During the meeting, several stakeholders were present along with the KCC&I Office Bearers. The Commissioner of EPFO was accompanied by the Enforcement Officer of EPFO, Kashmir, Ankur. The stakeholders expressed their grievances with the issuance of penalty and recovery notices under Section 14B.

    It was explained during the meeting that default or delay in payment and filing of relevant returns was caused by peculiar situations arising from the total restrictions imposed on public life in the State following the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. This included internet shutdowns and other means of communication for nearly four months. The woes that the business of public life had suffered through the unpredictable restrictions were further compounded with the life-threatening Covid-19 pandemic.

    Based on these facts, the KCC&I pleaded with the Commissioner to quash the demand raised through the notice issued under various provisions, especially Section 14B of EPF&MFACT, and condone the delay in filing the returns. The Commissioner was impressed upon to appreciate the ground situations prevailing during those difficult phases of disturbing events and takes a view accordingly.

    The Commissioner listened keenly and enlightened the stakeholders about the applicability and implications of the relevant rules for persisting non-compliance of the Act. He advised that a proper representation be made to the Ministry concerned asking for waiver of the penalties.

    The KCC&I is currently working out the details to be brought on the representation to be addressed to the concerned Ministry for favourable consideration, as advised by the Commissioner of EPFO. Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, Secretary-General of KCC&I, stated that the KCC&I will continue to work towards finding solutions to the issues faced by its members and the business community in Kashmir.

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    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • Kashmir Airfares Hiked At Will By Airlines And Ticket Operators: KCCI

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    SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry Saturday alleged that some airlines in collusion with bulk ticket booking operators are hiking the airfares at their sweet will in wake of the huge influx of tourists and Non-Resident Kashmiris (NRK).

    The Chamber said that the feedback received about the tourist inflow to Kashmir Valley by air route indicates that the rush of air travellers to the valley is increasing as besides the tourists, a large number of NRKs, students, and patients taking treatment outside the state are returning for the celebration of Eid festival at their homes and it is learnt that some Airlines in collusion with bulk ticket booking operators are hiking the airfares at their sweet will which is not only affecting the tourist business in Jammu & Kashmir adversely but it also overburdens the Non Resident Kashmiris, local students and patients.

    Faiz Ahmad Bakshi, Secretary General, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that it has already expressed its grave concern about such ill-advised unwarranted fare hiking practice by the concerned airlines’ bulk ticket booking operators as it was also observed by the Department-related Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, Government of India.

    “It appears that the Airlines operators on Delhi/Jammu/Srinagar air route have not taken the clear recommendations of the said Department- related Parliamentary Committee on the subject seriously and are instead hiking the fares irrationally which is tantamount to undue profiteering by the Airlines causing a hurdle to the tourist movement,” the Chamber said.

    The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that it would earnestly request the Minister for Civil Aviation and Director General Civil Aviation Government of India to have the recommendations of said Department-related Parliamentary Committee implemented in letter and spirit without fail.

    “The Committee recommends that there should be a mechanism with the Ministry such as capping of upper and lower prices to stop the practice of ‘predatory pricing’ or the sudden surge in prices even though price buckets are being created as per international aviation norms, a close watch has to be maintained by the DGCA & the Ministry and a mechanism should be devised to monitor the websites of various airlines to prevent them from misguiding passengers,” the panel said that in case private airlines do not publish the correct information regarding fares, they should be penalised for it. “The Committee observes that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has a responsibility to the travelling public and the nation at large to ensure that predatory pricing mechanism is not adopted by the airlines under the cloak of free market economy. The committee recommends the ministry should formulate a pricing mechanism for air fares to ensure that passengers are not charged exorbitant prices.”

    The Chamber said that it also likes to impress upon the Airlines operating Delhi/Jammu/Srinagar route to operate additional flights to meet the growing travel to Srinagar.

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    #Kashmir #Airfares #Hiked #Airlines #Ticket #Operators #KCCI

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • KCCI Delegation Meets Union Minister to Address Pashmina Export Issues

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    SRINAGAR: A delegation led by the President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Javid Ahmad Tenga, recently called on the Union Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change (MOEFCC), Bhupinder Yadav, to discuss the challenges faced by exporters of Pashmina shawls. The delegation highlighted the problems faced by exporters at customs, where their shawls are suspected of containing banned content.

    During the meeting, the KCCI presented a detailed presentation about the heritage Pashmina craft, it’s weaving process, and exports clearance. The delegation emphasized that the centuries-old cottage craft provided employment to tens of thousands of male & female artisans and the product was in demand within and outside the country in the form of shawls, stoles, rumals, lingerie, and fashion items.

    However, exporters have been facing difficulties at customs for some time, where Wildlife Department officials send the shawls to testing facilities outside Delhi (Dehradun/Kolkata) for further examination. Sometimes, the tests report the presence of Guard Hair, which is confused with Shahtoosh, causing a considerable period of time to be lost. This process results in the chain of production getting disturbed and affecting the livelihoods of artisans involved in the process of Pashmina weaving & embroidery.

    The KCCI proposed to the minister that in view of conflicting reports of laboratories, the DNA testing of export consignments be done. The Minister accepted the KCCI proposal and assured that in future, DNA testing will be done to address this issue. The Minister was also apprised of the issue of NOC/clearance by Pollution Control Committee, which needed to be simplified and made time-bound.

    The KCCI President invited the Minister for a seminar in Srinagar to review the progress of conservation projects being carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change. The Minister accepted the invitation and asked the KCCI to communicate a suitable date for the seminar for confirmation.

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    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • KCCI Delegation Calls On JK Bank MD And CEO

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    SRINAGAR: A delegation of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) on Tuesday called upon MD and CEO JK Bank Baldev Prakash at Corporate Headquarters. During the introductory meeting, MD and CEO felicitated the newly elected members of KCCI executive body led by President Javed Ahmed Tenga.

    Bank’s General Managers Ashutosh Sareen, Syed Rais Maqbool, Syed Shujaat Hussain, Divisional Head (Kashmir) Syed Shafat Hussain, Zonal Head (Srinagar) Shabir Ahmad along with DGMs were also present at the meeting  besides senior KCCI office-bearers Ashaq Hussain Shangloo, Fayaz Ahmad Punjabi, Faiz Ahmad Bakshi and others.

    Speaking on the occasion, MD and CEO Baldev Prakash dwelt upon the long-lasting relationship between the chamber and the Bank saying, “J&K Bank is your Bank, which has always supported businesses in a very pro-active manner. While carrying forward the rich legacy spanning over decades of mutual progress, we plan to take this association to another level in coming times.”

    “Whatever is required to further strengthen the relationship will be done within the regulatory guidelines, for I truly believe that our progress is interlinked with your growth. And we need to join forces to accelerate the socio-economic development of this place”, he added.

    Earlier, the members thanked the Bank for its continued financial support especially to ensure continuity and revival of businesses during difficult times like 2014 floods, Covid19 etc. The delegation also put on record its appreciation of the management for recently taken measures especially rolling out one time settlement Schemes and establishment of LCUs.

    While stressing upon the need to engage each other at various levels, members of the delegation assured the Bank’s management of complete cooperation from KCCI whenever and wherever required.

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    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • KCCI Concerned Over Exorbitant Airfares Affecting Tourist Business

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    SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) has expressed concern over the exorbitant airfares that have been affecting the tourist business of Jammu & Kashmir and the travel movement of sick, aged, students, and businessmen. The KCC&I has urged the Minister of Home Affairs, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Government of India, and the Director General, Civil Aviation to take action and ensure the implementation of the recommendations made by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture.

    The committee had taken stock of the situation emerging from the irrational mechanism adopted by some operators in league with some airlines manipulating the airfare. The KCC&I hailed the committee for making appropriate recommendations and observations to curb predatory pricing and prevent airlines from misleading passengers. The committee recommended the formulation of a pricing mechanism for airfares to ensure that passengers are not charged exorbitant prices.

    The KCC&I has called for the immediate implementation of these recommendations in letter and spirit without any further delay. Additionally, the KCC&I has requested that airlines operate additional flights to meet the tourist rush for visiting the short-lived Tulip garden. This is also the time for the return of local citizens, students, and non-resident Kashmiris.

    The KCC&I believes that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has a responsibility to the traveling public and the nation at large to ensure that predatory pricing mechanisms are not adopted by airlines under the guise of a free-market economy. The KCC&I hopes that the recommendations made by the committee will be implemented soon to ensure the growth of the tourism industry and the convenience of travelers in Jammu & Kashmir.

     

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    #KCCI #Concerned #Exorbitant #Airfares #Affecting #Tourist #Business

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • People Not In A Position To Bear The Burden Of Paying The Property Tax At This Stage: KCC&I

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    SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) has expressed its opposition to the government’s decision to impose property tax in Jammu & Kashmir. In a recent meeting of the Executive Committee, the KCC&I stated that the sentiment of trade, commerce, and industry in the union territory is low, and people are not in a position to bear the burden of paying the property tax at this stage.

    The KCC&I believes that Jammu & Kashmir has undergone a long spell of disturbed periods during which time businesses and citizens have suffered and depleted their assets and lifetime savings. While some sectors have shown signs of revival, it is not advisable to burden people with more taxes, especially considering the post-Covid economic scenario.

    The KCC&I draw the attention of authorities to the global sentiment of revival and requests them to reconsider imposing property tax, at least until the economic scenario stabilizes. The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir being a landlocked tier 3 state, cannot be compared justifiably with Delhi, Chandigarh, or other UT or states, the KCC&I added.

    The KCC&I appeals to the administration to put the notified property tax on hold, and instead consult with stakeholders before making any decision. The KCC&I remind authorities that property tax was levied in the past but had to be withdrawn for obvious reasons.

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    #People #Position #Bear #Burden #Paying #Property #Tax #Stage #KCCI

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

  • No Transparency In Ongoing Anti-Encroachment Drive: KCC&I

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    SRINAGAR: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) on Thursday said that there is no transparency in the ongoing anti-encroachment drive launched by the government.

    Addressing a news conference, Sheikh Ashiq, president of KCC&I, as per the news agency KNO said that there is a need to set accountability in the ongoing anti-encroachment drive and that a formal order should be issued in this regard so that the people are aware about it completely.

    “We have talked to the higher ups today after the shops were sealed at Aftab Market yesterday and we have been assured that no such measure involving the livelihood of people will be taken,” he said.

    He said that they are not here to shield the land mafia and those who have grabbed the land, but the livelihood should not get affected and thus a formal order in this regard is imperative to end the chaos.

    “We have urged the government to come clear in this regard. We have been assured that the chaos will end soon,” he said.

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    #Transparency #Ongoing #AntiEncroachment #Drive #KCCI

    ( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )