Lok Sabha Question No. 1503 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-27
Subject: Trade in Kashmir
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Badruddin Ajmal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1503.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 27 TH  NOVEMBER, 2019.

## TRADE IN KASHMIR

## 1503.  SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

वाणिज्य

## एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  Jammu  &  Kashmir  (J&K)  has  suffered  loss  to  the  tune  of  Rs.10,000 crore  in  three  months  as  trade  was  abandoned  after  the  Central  Government stripped off its special status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution;
- (b) if so, whether the Government has taken any steps/proposes to take any step to avoid further loss; and
- (c) whether, as per reports, traders of the valley are unable to export their products like apple etc. in the present situation and if so, the details of steps being taken to ensure trade-friendly environment in the valley?

## ANSWER वाणिज ् य एवं उद्योग मंत्री श्री पीयूष गोयल THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ( ) (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b): The people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered from terrorist violence and separatism supported from across the border for the past many decades.  On account of Article 35A and certain other constitutional provisions, the people of this region were denied full rights enshrined in the Constitution of India and the benefits of various Central Laws that were being enjoyed by other citizens of the country.  As a result, full economic potential of the region could not be realized by the people of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions for the last 70 years.

After the Declaration Issued by the President under article 370, based on the recommendations of the Parliament and re-organization of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh, all such aspects have been addressed and the people of Jammu and Kashmir can now realize full potential in all sectors of economy like in other parts of the country.

Due to these recent decisions, certain precautionary measures taken initially have already been substantially relaxed.  There is no specific report received from the Government of Jammu and Kashmir regarding any new losses on account of such preventive steps taken as a short-term measure.

Under  the  Rs.  80,068  crores  Prime  Minister's  package  announced  on  7 th November  2015,  63  major  development  projects  in    Road,  Power,  Health, Tourism, Agriculture, Horticulture, Skill Development sectors etc, are already under various stage of implementation.  In addition to the above steps, many flagship schemes  of  the  Government  of India including the individual beneficiary  centric  schemes  are  being  proactively  implemented  by  the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

- (c): Traders  of  the  valley  have  dispatched  their  crops/fruits  from  residential premises/other suitable locations and upto 21.11.2019, 13.03 LMTs of fresh fruit  have  been  dispatched  to  various  Mandis  in  the  country.  Further, Government  of  India  has  launched  Market  Intervention  Scheme  (MIS)  for procurement  of  apple  crops  from  the  growers  through  National  Agriculture Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) directly from the growers at five collection centres in the valley and upto 21.11.2019, 9932 MTs in addition to above,  valued  at  Rs  42.98  crore,  have  been  procured  directly  from  the growers, as an option to ensure procurement of apple crop at remunerative prices  to  benefit  the  growers.    Provision  has  been  made  to  ensure  further procurement.

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