Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed the party’s commitment to developing Jammu as a prominent business hub of North India, highlighting the region’s emerging economic potential.
His remarks came during an interactive session with representatives of the Fruit Mandi Association, Narwal, Jammu, who raised concerns and shared suggestions regarding the growth of the local fruit business.
Dr. Abdullah, accompanied by Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President of JKNC Jammu, was warmly received by the members of the Fruit Mandi Association. During the visit, he interacted with Raj Kumar Gupta and other office-bearers of the Association, addressing various issues related to the fruit trade and its supporting infrastructure.
The key concerns raised included the urgent renewal of lease deeds for shopkeepers, the need for upgradation of the park adjacent to the Mandi, and the expansion of the Mandi to meet global standards. The Association stressed the importance of improving basic civic amenities such as roads, parking facilities, sanitation, and waste management systems. They also sought reliable electricity supply to support fruit processing and cold storage facilities.
In addition to immediate concerns, the Association outlined several long-term objectives aimed at strengthening the fruit trade in Jammu. These included the establishment of post-harvest and quality control units, the introduction of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities to enhance shelf life, and the installation of hi-tech grading lines and portable graders to standardise produce quality.
Furthermore, the Association called for the development of laboratories for physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis, the establishment of dedicated processing units, and the setting up of a dispensary for the welfare of Mandi workers. Rattan Lal Gupta also endorsed the demands, describing them as genuine and justified.
Assuring the delegation of his support, Dr. Abdullah said he would take up the issues with the concerned ministers and departments to ensure timely and effective action. He reiterated that the agricultural and business sectors of the Jammu region are vital to the economic growth of the Union Territory, adding that the government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah remains committed to facilitating their development.
“Jammu has immense potential to emerge as a major business hub. Such initiatives will not only strengthen the local economy but also generate employment opportunities for the youth,” Dr. Abdullah said. “Our government is dedicated to creating a conducive environment for local industries to flourish, with the people of Jammu as the ultimate beneficiaries.”
The Fruit Mandi Association expressed gratitude to Dr. Abdullah for his visit and continued support. The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the Association hopeful that their demands would be addressed with due urgency.
Among those present were Vijay Lochan, Chairman SC Cell, Rakesh Singh Raka, Vice President Central Zone, and others.
