A DIVIDED HOUSE

Business groups in valley are the most affected by the two decades of turmoil in Kashmir. And at this point of time, the organizations representing these groups should have united to put their demands forward. But reverse is the case here.

 

Bilal Hussain

The political system prevalent in the valley has badly affected most of the business organizations in Jammu and Kashmir. And the result is obvious that it no more determines the context within which businesses should operate here. The political turmoil has created new business amalgamations that were supposed to oversee the affected industries in the valley. However; these new bodies ended up functioning more like government associates and are acting as puppets in the hands of the ruling politicians and the bureaucracy.

A change in policy mainly economic can have major effects on the local economy and on the firms that serve it. In the real senses the trade bodies should act as pressure groups to influence government and politicians for implementation of favourable economic policies in the state.

Their activities can also have a major impact on industries and individual firms. The government departments frequently consult pressure groups about new regulations and legislation. By consulting these groups, who already are working hand in glove with the government makes it easy for politicians to implement policies that are favorable for the establishment and at time it means choking businesses in the valley.

Over the years of interaction with the business organizations in the valley, I have observed that most of their constituents are capable and have handled their business well despite the political turmoil that has marred most of the economic activities here. However, when it comes to collective efforts they seem to have forgotten that 'united we stand, divided we fall'. At individual levels they are sound businessmen but the amalgamation of businesses have been utter failures.

Recent happenings that have left most of the trade organizations divided in the valley will have multiple long run implications on the economic activities overseen by these business bodies. For securing the undue favors from power corridors, self-interest-driven members have gone to an extent where they put credibility of the organization they belong to at stake, and they hardly care for it. This miscreant member’s pity self interests has ruined it all.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an apex and oldest business body of the valley, is the worst sufferer of dirty politics that has badly dented its credibility. In a recent development the High Court directed the chamber to defer its polls which were scheduled for September 22, 2011. In past too there have been lots of bad politics played which forced many of its old members to leave the chamber and form separate trade bodies. In no way this is justified, all they should have done is to be in the system and fight for the cause, if they were incapable then separate organizations makes no sense. It would be in the fitness of things for one and all if they all could come together and fortify the oldest business organization.

The divided trade bodies instead of serving the business are operating for the government, knowing or unknowingly. To counter and contain business organizations there is a parallel body that has been set here like: Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) which has a parallel organization Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK); Kashmir Hotel & Restaurant Association (KHARA) and then KHAROF - Kashmir Hotel And Restaurant Owners Federation. On similar patterns, there are business organizations like Kashmir Traders Manufacturers Association (KTMF), Kashmir Food Processing Association (KPFA), Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Chamber of Commerce and Industries –Kashmir (CCIK), Federation Chamber of Industry Kashmir (FCIK) and many others.

The point is do we really need all these organization who almost have similar mandate and represents same trade sections. Isn't it that all business bodies should be merged in an apex business body with sub constituents to represent different sections of industry and trade? Easier said than done, I know it is not going to be cake walk at all but yes, if the stakeholders have to be in the business then they have to mean business.

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