Executive Council of Indian Chamber of Commerce of Jammu met and discussed important issues of these difficult times.

The Executive Council of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Jammu, convened under the leadership of Rahul Sahai, Chairman ICC Jammu to discuss the grave challenges faced by industry, trade, and civil society during these unprecedented times of conflict and instability in Jammu & Kashmir.

The meeting began with a solemn two-minute silence in memory of the brave security personnel, civilians, and all those who lost their lives in the barbaric attack in Pahalgam.

The council members unanimously saluted the courage and determination of our Armed and Security Forces, and the strategic leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for steering the country through this difficult phase and taking on to the culprits of heinous attack of Pahalgam.

The Council appreciated the proactive engagement of Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, both of whom have remained in constant touch with industry, trade, and civil society stakeholders. Rahul Sahai informed that the Lieutenant Governor had assured full support and accessibility to the public during his pre-war meeting at Raj Bhawan. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, demonstrating remarkable commitment, travelled by road from Kashmir to Jammu during the conflict to meet civil society members and discuss necessary interventions. ICC shared vital recommendations for activation of key services such as the Information Department, Medical and Fire Services, Blood Donation camps, and support at Primary Health Centres. Council applauded acts of Both leaders who visited several affected border areas to assess ground realities.

The meeting detailed the devastating fallouts of the war, including:

Damage to homes and displacement of families in border areas.
Shutdown of businesses, grounding of flights, and stoppage of trains.
Panic-driven labour exodus leading to closure of establishments.
Collapse of tourism, near-zero business activity and income.
Banks threatening to block credit limits and classify loans as unsecured.
Regular interest charges despite ongoing crisis.
Late GST refunds and pending payments from government departments.
No insurance cover for properties under if the “Act of War” clause applies.

In light of these challenges, the Council urged the Hon’ble Finance Minister of India to provide a special financial assistance package to Jammu & Kashmir. The Council also called upon the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and Hon’ble Chief Minister to consider the following crucial points for urgent action:

Labour Going from J&K Should Be Stopped Immediately

Labour shortage due to mass exodus is affecting industries, hotels, and trading houses by up to 70%. The Council urged the administration to take Labour Confidence Building Measures immediately. Labour should be pacified through official engagement, brought back with free transportation, and safety assurances should be advertised in their home states. The Information Department should design flyers, set up toll-free numbers, and create communication channels to reassure the workforce.

Insurance Companies Not Covering Properties – A Big Concern

The Council expressed deep concern over insurance companies refusing to cover property damages under the “Act of War” clause. It was resolved to immediately represent this matter to the Hon’ble Finance Minister, IRDAI, the Lieutenant Governor, and Chief Minister, requesting intervention to safeguard property and business interests. The issue of banks threatening to block CC limits, which could also freeze saving accounts, was flagged as alarming and requires immediate direction from the central authorities.

Way Forward – Sectoral Recommendations

Pending Funds: Representations will be sent to release GST refunds (₹20 crores stuck at Gandhi Nagar Treasury), turnover incentives, and NCSS-related refunds.
Power Tariff Relief: Request for 50% rebate in minimum charges and no hike in tariffs during this crisis period and regular uninterrupted power supply should be ensured to already stressed industry .
MSME Support: we Propose 6-month interest reimbursements, protection of credit scores, region-specific RBI relaxations, and concessional working capital loans.
Tourism Revival: Recommends early planning for Amarnath Yatra and Pooja holidays. Suggested roping in national influencers, halting hashtags like “Boycott Kashmir as it is also damaging Jammu ,” and promoting J&K tourism via national platforms.
Education: Demands timely CUET exams within J&K and nt outside Ut , as people cannot travel in these times , with the proposal to conduct other states’ CUET exams here to promote J&K. Also, all higher education exams and results must stay on schedule.Students of IIT,IIM,Central university etc should be called back .
Logistics: Highway operations must be 24×7 to control trucking costs. Military convoys should be routed through Mughal Road to ease commercial flow if possible.
Industrial Consultative Committee: Immediate formation of an inclusive committee with industry and trade representatives.
Payment Disbursement: Government departments must release all pending payments, especially under schemes like Ayushmann Bharat , Etc.
Cybersecurity: With growing cyber threats, the government should audit vulnerable sites and form a dedicated Cyber Response Team.
Master Plan: Must be rolled out without delay.
Schools should only be open after 100% normalcy .otherwise online classes be considered.
Transportation: Full resumption of flights and trains was stressed.
Rumour Control: Urged the administration to take strong action against misinformation on social media, including filing FIRs.

Present Members of the Executive Council:

Samardev Charak (Education), Ashish Jain (Govt Supplies),Raj Dua (Industry),Anil Sharma (Industrial Estate Kathua, CA),Varun Mahajan (Flour Mills),Gajendra K Lodha (Sutlej Industries),Ali Jaffery (Tourism – Sky View by Emperian, FIL Industries,Shantanu Gupta (Law),Zeeshan Ahmed (Government Supplies),Kuldeep Gupta (Shanker Plywoods),Amarjeet Kukreja (Attar Singh & Sons, C&F),Niranjan Surana (New Industry NCSS)

The Indian Chamber of Commerce Jammu appeals for urgent attention and assistance at the highest levels to restore stability, revive industry, and safeguard livelihoods in Jammu & Kashmir.