In a significant development, industry leaders from Jammu and Katra have called on the government for immediate relief to support the hospitality and allied sectors, which are currently grappling with severe disruptions. The PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Jammu Region, and the Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra (HRAK), led a delegation comprising Rakesh Wazir (PHDCCI Chairman & HRAK President) and Shyam Lal Kesar (HRAK Chairman), to J&K Bank officials. The delegation expressed gratitude for the bank’s Rehabilitation Package-2025, which offers extensions on repayment periods and additional working capital loans for borrowers impacted by recent industry turmoil.
Rakesh Wazir highlighted that the sector faces unprecedented challenges following incidents such as the Pahalgam attack, Indo-Pak tensions, frequent landslides, and tragedies at religious sites, leading to prolonged suspension of the yatra and mounting financial distress. Many businesses have defaulted on interest and loan installments and are struggling to pay employees.
Wazir welcomed the Rehabilitation Package-2025, but urged the authorities to soften restrictive conditions—pointing out that even those with overdue installments should be eligible for relief. He also appealed to other banks to provide similar relief packages and requested consideration for units needing temporary repayment relaxations.
Shyam Lal Kesar further called on government departments—including Electricity, Water, and GST—to announce corresponding relief measures. He advocated for a special amnesty scheme for commercial consumers, patterned after domestic consumers, and a comprehensive rehabilitation package to protect the survival of local industries during this period of hardship. These collective efforts underline the urgency felt by Jammu and Katra’s hospitality sector and their hope for immediate government intervention and industry-wide support.
