Jammu, 12 January: The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the development of Jammu as a prominent business hub in North India, highlighting the region’s emerging potential.
His remarks came during an interactive session with the representatives of the Fruit Mandi Association of Narwal Jammu, who expressed their concerns and suggestions regarding the growth of the local fruit business.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah, accompanied by Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of JKNC Jammu, was warmly welcomed by the members of the Fruit Mandi Association. During the visit, he engaged with Raj Kumar Gupta and other office bearers of the Association, addressing various issues pertaining to the local fruit trade and associated infrastructure.
The key concerns raised by the association included the urgent renewal of lease deeds with shopkeepers, the need for the upgradation of the park adjacent to the Mandi, and the expansion of the Mandi to meet global standards. The Association emphasized the importance of improving basic civic amenities such as roads, parking facilities, sanitation, and waste management systems. They also called for better infrastructure to support the industry, including reliable electricity for processing and storage facilities.
In addition to the immediate issues, the Association outlined several long-term goals aimed at enhancing the fruit business in Jammu. These included the establishment of Post-Harvest & Quality Control units, the introduction of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage units to preserve fruit quality and extend shelf life, and the installation of hi-tech grading lines and portable graders to standardize the produce.
Furthermore, the association called for the development of laboratories for physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis, as well as the establishment of dedicated processing units and a dispensary for the benefit of the Mandi workers. Mr Rattan Lal Gupta also supported the issues raised by the association being genuine and justified.
Dr. Farooq assured the representatives that he would take up their concerns with the concerned ministers and departments to ensure prompt and effective action. He reiterated that the Jammu region’s agricultural and business sectors were critical to the economic development of the Union Territory, and the government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah, was committed to facilitating their growth.
“Jammu’s potential as a business hub is immense, and initiatives like these will not only boost local economies but will create job opportunities for the youth,” Dr. Farooq said. “Our government is dedicated to creating an environment where local industries can thrive, and the people of Jammu will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this growth.”
The Fruit Mandi Association expressed its gratitude for Dr. Farooq’s visit and for his continued support in addressing their concerns. The meeting ended on a positive note, with the Association hopeful that their demands will be met with the urgency they require.
