Jammu Haat likely to be inaugurated on Sept 22

JAMMU: Renamed as ‘Jammu Haat’, the first-of-its kind ‘Trade Facilitation Centre’ of J&K, constructed in Jammu, is most likely to be inaugurated on 22 September, 2021.
Official sources have revealed to The News Now that the inauguration of ‘Jammu Haat’ was to be held on 20 September, 2021, and the preparations were being done accordingly. However, for some reasons it is now postponed to 22 September, 2021.
A multi storeycentre, which has come up with a budget of more than Rs 30 Crore, will be inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Science and Technology, Earth Sciences and Space Technology, and Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, J&K. The concerned are giving final touches to the preparations and have illuminated the Haat.
Interestingly, Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu has called for Jammu Bandh on the same date against discrimination with traders and people of Jammu region by the present Government at Central and UT level.
It may be mentioned here that the sanction was accorded to the establishment of ‘J&K Trade Facilitation Centre’, for the promotion of industrial and allied activities in the Union territory via Government Order No. 114 – IND of 2021, dated 30-06-2021.
Later, it was renamed as ‘Jammu Haat’ via Government Order No. 146 - IND of 2021, dated 13-7-2021. The facility shall be used to promote handicraft, handloom and industry related activities in the region, the order read.
With approximately 62 shops/spaces meant for allotment, the J&K TFC or ‘Jammu Haat’ has been constructed at Exhibition Ground Jammu, where there once existed a ‘Jammu Haat’, a venue for cultural events, handicrafts & handloom exhibitions etc. The ramshackle complex is now a sight of neglect.
As per the details available for Haat, the lower ground floor of the building will be used for exhibition of rich and exquisite variety of Handicrafts, Handlooms from across the region. The upper ground floor and first floor will be for industrial products, registered manufacturers/service sector/industrial units/PMEGP units/ Startups. The second floor will be dedicated to women in business. It will have Trade Promotion Centre, J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), and the women wing of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, FICCI FLO. Third floor will have emphasis on One District One Product (ODOP) while the fourth floor is set to be used as a Conference/Exhibition Hall. All the line departments of Industries & Commerce have been allowed to use the space for organizing Exhibitions and Conferences including export promotion, as and when required. Parking area will be developed in the basement of the building.
JK-SICOP had been asked to take charge of maintenance and up-keep of the building. Meanwhile, the roadmap is being worked out to merge State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDCO) and Small Scale Industrial Development Corporation (SICOP), and set up Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Development Corporation (JKIDCO).