Kashmir chamber discusses air service crisis with Aviation minister

Srinagar:A delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Inc) headed by its President,Javid Ahmad Tenga on Monday had a meeting with the Hon’ble Civil Aviation Minister, Govt of India Shri Jayant Sinha regarding various issues faced by the trade and people of J&K in regard to services of airlines as well as services rendered by the airport authority of India.
The spokesman said President apprised the Hon’ble Minister regarding the injustice being meted out to local entrepreneurs in the case of allotment of food outlets and other shops at Srinagar International Airport.
He was apprised about the tender floated as well as allotted were tailor-made with the fact that at the eligibility stage itself the local entrepreneur were excluded by specifying (a) That the qualification for tendering as a Concessioner were made deliberately difficult that no local entrepreneur could be able to participate in the absence of having a minimum annual turnover of rupees six crore and fifty lacs (b)the Concessioner must have two international and one national brand. The Minister has given on the spot instructions to the highest officials of the Airport Authority of India to settle this issue as soon as possible amicably with the stakeholders (i.e. shopkeepers at Srinagar International Airport and KCC&I).
In regard to international and chartered flights as well as international Cargo, the Minister assured appropriate action with the help of State Government to make it a reality.
Lastly, the issue of exorbitant airfare during tourist season which results in not only exorbitant rates to tourists but also affects the students and poor medical patients travelling to other parts of India for medical treatment. In this regard the KCC&I suggestion of creating a composite fund by the JKTDC to book tickets in bulk before the tourist season was taken on board by the Hon’ble Minister and it was suggested that the State Government should be appraised and the Central Government will also provide the necessary support in making this fund possible.