ibn sultan
Srinagar, July 4: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal urging Amarnath pilgrims to spend at least 10 per cent of their travel budget on locally made products, saying the initiative would significantly benefit Kashmir’s economy if pilgrims are allowed to freely visit local markets.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah described the Prime Minister’s appeal as “a very good suggestion” but stressed that its success depends on giving pilgrims the freedom to get off their buses, explore local markets, and interact with businesses.
“If pilgrims are kept confined to their buses, how will they spend? They should be allowed to move around, visit markets and shop freely so that local shopkeepers, artisans, pony operators, porters, and other small businesses can benefit,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister’s “Vocal for Local” initiative has the potential to strengthen Kashmir’s economy by encouraging pilgrims to purchase locally made products, thereby supporting the livelihoods of thousands of families across the region.
Abdullah also welcomed the Centre’s decision to withdraw the proposed Monday-Tuesday closure of Srinagar Airport, calling it a major relief for Kashmir’s tourism industry. He said several tour groups had begun cancelling their bookings after reports of the proposed shutdown.
He said he had taken up the matter with the Defence Minister, the Civil Aviation Minister, and the Prime Minister, following which the decision to keep the airport operational on Mondays and Tuesdays was taken. He added that the government would also seek flight operations from Awantipora Airport during the scheduled closure of Srinagar Airport in October.
The Chief Minister further welcomed the withdrawal of Punjab’s mandi tax on horticultural produce from Jammu and Kashmir, describing the move as a positive step for farmers and traders in the Union Territory.
