Kashmir business chamber for conflict insurance in J

Srinagar, Sep 18 (UNI) The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the authorities to introduce a conflict insurance scheme to safeguard the present and future investments in the strife-torn state.

In a statement here, KCCI said its high-level delegation recently met Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni, Special Secretary, Banking, Vinod Rai and Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Sanjay Agarwal in New Delhi in this regard.

The delegation was asked to make a comprehensive proposal in this regard. ''If agreed, it would be the best confidence building measure for business community in Kashmir,'' the delegation said.

About settlements and increase in credit deposit ratio of public sector banks, Mr Rai said the chamber should have a representation in the state-level banking committee and also in specific advisory council.

The chamber handed over a plan for organising exhibitions during next five years to Mr Agarwal who assured necessary support and funding from the Centre for creation of handicraft parks in all districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

About Common Facility Centres (CFCs), Mr Agarwal said already three such sectors have been approved but these were yet to be implemented by the state government.

About 90 per cent subsidy for new carpet looms, the delegation was told that the decision would be taken by next month and assured of complete support regarding inclusion of 50 per cent of hotels in the Prime Minister's package.

On her part, Ms Soni agreed to send a KCCI delegation for road shows in South East Asia, Japan and th West Asia. She said Rs five crore have been kept for publicity of Kashmir.

UNI AG SRS BS1604