Various business bodies come forward in support of ‘aggrieved’ wine traders

JAMMU: Various bodies of businessmen in Jammu today openly came forward in support of `aggrieved’ Jammu wine traders, who are protesting against New Excise Policy of the Union Territory Government.

Addressing a joint press conference, here today, these bodies resolved to stand united in protecting the business community of Jammu, irrespective of the nature of trade.

“We appeal the Government to review its New Excise Policy, which is detrimental to those in the wine trading business since years as they can’t compete in open auction of liquor vends and are therefore, feared to become jobless,” said Deepak Gupta, president of Ware House Traders Federation.

He was accompanied by Surinder Mahajan of Raghunath Bazar Businessmen Association; Anoop Gupta of Kanak Mandi Traders Federation; Charanjeet Singh, president of Jammu Wine Traders Association; Digvijay Singh, Gurvinder Singh and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Charanjeet Singh rejected the Government claim of transparency, equity and inclusiveness in allotment of retail liquor shops under New Excise Policy.

Alleging flaws in the New Excise Policy, he contested the point-wise claims in this regard, made by the office of Excise Commissioner in an advertisement published in print media on Wednesday.

During the press conference, leaders of various business bodies and the Wine Traders Association claimed that Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has assured them that no one would be rendered jobless as main thrust of the Government, after abrogation of Article 370, was on giving employment to all.

They hoped that with the intervention of the Union Minister, the Government would review its New Excise Policy, which envisages auctioning of liquor vends across Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. (Daily Excelsior)