This Article is From Aug 26, 2016

Kashmir Protests Hurt Business, Rs 6400 Crore Lost In 49 Days

Kashmir Protests Hurt Business, Rs 6400 Crore Lost In 49 Days

Curfew and protests in Kashmir have cost businesses over Rs 6400 crore in losses.

Srinagar: The ongoing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir has led to a whopping Rs 6,400 crore loss to the state, with businesses being badly hit due to curfew and separatist sponsored strikes.

Tourism and other business activities in Kashmir have come to a halt since protests broke out after the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani by security forces on July 8. Since then large parts of the state have remained under curfew, affecting business and tourism in the state.

"Kashmir is suffering losses of about Rs 135 crore daily. We estimate the losses at over Rs 6,400 crore so far," said Mohammad Yaseen Khan, head of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation. According to Mr Khan these estimates are based on daily business six months ago. He also said that the community wants the Kashmir issue to be resolved permanently.

While traders and businessmen continue to suffer in the Valley, the state government has also suffered losses in foregone revenue to the tune of Rs 300 crore since the protests began.

"Collection of levies and taxes has come down drastically since the unrest began. Sales Tax collection has been the worst hit," an official in the state finance department said. Similarly, tourism which is considered the mainstay of Kashmir's economy has also come to a standstill.

"People are turning away from Kashmir due to unrest," a hotel operator in Srinagar said. He added that hotels and houseboats were empty and famous tourist spots wore a desolate look.

"What can we do? The department is helpless. We cannot go outside the state and ask people to visit when there is a such a situation on the ground," a tourism official working with the state government said.
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