Traders oppose FDI in retail

Worried over the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail sector, various traders organizations of Jammu region have decided to support the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call, jointly given by Confederation of All India Traders and Bharat Udyog Vyapar Mandal, for December 1.

While criticizing the working pattern of Best Price Shop (a Bharti Walmart joint venture), the Associated Chamber of Traders Federation (ACTF) president Yashpaul Gupta said that these Multi National Companies (MNCs) were selling certain items at cheaper rates, but this would continue only for few days in the beginning to attract the general public.  Slowly and steadily they would change their policies, he said.

“The ramifications of the opening of shops by these MNCs in country will be visible only after few years. Once these companies are able to attain monopoly in wholesale and retail sector, they would start charging as per their whims. At that time the general masses would be left with no option but to purchase the items from these outlets at the prices fixed by these MNCs,” he warned.

He further said that in the beginning these MNCs outlets would sell the items, which are already available in the market but once the local market vanishes from the scene, these companies would sell the products from their own manufacturing units and those too at exorbitant rates.

“These MNCs have a very long chain and also have collaboration with several industries. These industries also produce all kinds of goods including grocery items, confectionary items, electrical appliances, textiles, eatables and after monopolizing the markets, they will give concession only on their own products,” he said.

He further said that there were around 5 Cr retail shopping outlets in entire country and around 20 Cr families were depending on these outlets. “After the approval of FDI in retail sector, the new outlets of MNCs in every city would result in the closure of those local outlets,” he said and added that the unemployment in entire country would increase manifold.

Other trader organization members, endorsing his statement, stated that there were negligible benefits of allowing FDI in retail but there were numerous drawbacks of the said policy. They announced their decision to support the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call for December 1 and also appealed the people of entire Jammu region to observe shutdown on that day.

Oldest Shopping Centers in Srinagar

With the number of shopping malls and markets adding up each day across the Valley, the oldest shopping centers seem to have been lost into oblivion. Maharaj Gunj market happens to be one such market which is gradually being lost to history. The market, located in old city along the banks of river Jhelum, has been established between 1868-1870’s by then Maharaja of Kashmir, Maharaja Ranbir Singh.Before the establishment of Maharaj Gunj, market surrounding the Jamia Masjid mosque was leading market when Kashmir was ruled by Sultans.“Jamia Masjid was the main market of the Valley. Since old city was only civilized part of the Valley, Jamia market was main market,” said Abdul Gaffar, an old shopkeeper at Jamia Majid.The market would be visited by people from city outskirts as well to shop.“On Fridays, people will throng to this place to shop and pray as well,” he adds.However when Maharaja Ranbir Singh ruled Kashmir, Maharaja Gunj was set up to pay the money lended from businessmen in Punjab fro sales deed. “During the sale deed of 1846 of Kashmir, Maharaja had lended Rs 16 lakh from businessmen in Punjab. But since Maharaja could not pay it back, he asked those traders to do business in Kashmir in exchange for the debit,” says Zareef Ahmad Zareef, writer.

A full fledged market was set up for the Punjab traders. The name of the market was changed from “Azz Baboon trag”, named after one of the richest person of the areas, to Maharaj Gunj The shops are given to the traders along with few rooms for residing and market started. It flourished as the leading market of the Valley, giving a hit to Jamia market. People started thronging to Maharaj Gunj for shopping and trading. Its location at the bank of river Jhelum, which facilitated trade, added to its business. Valley’s first police station was also started in Maharaj Gunj, named S.R Gunj police station. The traders were allotted land for building residence, namely Shivpora, Wazir bagh and Rammunshi Bagh.

However the development of the Srinagar city and coming up of new markets gave a below of Maharaj Gunj. Additionally, the government inattention towards the development of the market and facilities pushed Maharaj Gunj into stupor. “We do not have proper transport system which is a major hurdle. How can people come here when we have no transport? ”said Abdul Gaffar.He alleged government for ignoring the historic market “They are building new mall s and market but no one pays attention to Maharaj Gunj which is a historicplace,” says another shopkeeper at Maharaj Gunj.

Kashmiri apples costliest in Indian markets

Kashmiri apples are being sold at the most costliest rates in the fruit markets all over the country this year, according to the Department of Horticulture. As compared to last year, the rates of all varieties of Kashmiri apples have seen an approximately 40 per cent sharp increase fetching an unexpected profit margin for apple growers of Kashmir.As compared to last year’s average price of Rs 275 per apple box (Delicious variety), this year the average rate of the same variety has gone upto Rs 687 per box suggesting an approximate 40 per cent increase.

Figures reveal that the South India is a huge buyer of quality Kashmiri apples where on an average; a box of Kashmiri apples is sold Rs 100- 200 higher than those in north Indian fruit markets.In some markets, outside the state, official sources reveal that the prices have jumped higher to Rs 1000 per box of Delicious Kashmiri apples.

Till now, 7 lakh metric tones of apples in 63, 902 trucks have been exported from the valley to other states and the exports are slated to go on till February next year.“The exports therefore will certainly be larger than last year. In 2010, just 10 lakh metric tones of apples were exported. This year, it will be definitely greater than that although, exact figures are difficult to reveal at this point in time,” an official with the Planning and Marketing division of Horticulture Department said.The reason behind a huge demand for Kashmiri apples in the fruit markets is stated to be a production decline in Himachali apples this year, which led to a push in the rates of Kashmiri apples.

“Himachal Pradesh apple production, both in terms of quality and quantity has seen a tremendous decline. Besides, there is no other suitable competitor our apple industry has. We were not expecting such exorbitant rates of our apple produce, but this year it is certainly good. The production also has seen an increase, although only by 20 per cent,” said Bashir Ahmad, President, Kashmir Fruit Growers Association.

Dr. Fayyaz Ahmad Banday, Head of department, Pomology, SKAUST (K) said that the apt market for Kashmiri apples this time was found all over India resulting in its sale at very good rates.

“Indian markets have a like-ability for deep red coloured apples which this year’s produce has very well offered them. Among the most premium qualities which are in huge demand include Delicious, red gold and srat crimson. Then there are yellow coloured apples which are slightly cheaper like American, Maharaji and Golden,” he said.Department of horticulture estimates reveal that quality apples have come in from the district Shopian whereas District Baramulla has been able to register the maximum production of apples this year.

Div Com reviews Raghunath Bazar beautification project

Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Dr. Pawan Kotwal today convened a meeting with officers besides representatives of Raghunath Bazaar Business Association and reviewed the status of project of Raghunath Bazar beautification.

The meeting held threadbare discussion with regard to measures to be taken to beautify the Raghunath Bazar, which is the main area of the city of temples.

For beautification and development of Raghunath Bazaar, to restore to its pristine glory a detailed plan project was prepared in consultation with the concerned authorities in various departments.

It was decided that Engineers of PDD Department accompanied by Town Planner, JDA will visited the Raghunath Bazaar and finalize the land for installing the three 630 KVA transformers to mitigate the low voltage and interrupted power supply in Raghunath Bazaar. Div Com asked the NBCC authorities to complete all the pending working in a stipulated time frame so that no delay occurs in the prestigious project.

Dr. Kotwal stressed upon the executing agencies to work with more dedication and coordination so that the targets fixed for overall development of the Raghunath Bazar area are achieved within stipulated time.

Representatives of Raghunath Bazaar Business Association stressed for early completion of the project of upgradation and beautification of historical Raghunath Bazaar Jammu.

Among others, Commissioner JMC S. C. Sawhney, VC JDA Vinod Sharma, SE PDD P. K. Puri, SE PHE Vinod Luthra, XEN PHE Ashok Gandhotra, Senior General Manager, NBCC Hem Raj, officers from Tourism, BSNL and other departments were present in the meeting.