J&K Government assures rehabilitation of S R Gunj market

Srinagar, Dec 2 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government today assured the traders of Sri Ranbir Gunj market where 75 shops were gutted in a devastating fire some days ago that a new complex would be built on original pattern to suit the heritage restoration plan devised by the City Development Coordination Committee (CDCC).

Finance and Planning Minister Tariq Hameed Karra visited S R Gunj, also known as Maharaja Ranbir Gunj, to assess the losses suffered by the shopkeepers due to the major fire on the intervening night of November 28-29.

He directed the divisional authorities to clear the debris within seven days. Mr Karra said he would recommend the Jammu and Kashmir Bank to issue soft loans to the affected traders.

The Minister asked the traders to cooperate in their relocation in order to develop S R Gunj and its adjacent areas as per the CDCC plan. The affected traders urged Mr Karra for exemption of sales tax as their goods worth crores of rupees were destroyed in the fire.

Mr Karra assured the traders that the state government would take a sympathetic view on their demands.

UNI