JAMMU, October 29: Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday assured shopkeepers affected by the devastating fire at Shiva Market in Jammu that the government would extend all possible assistance to help them rebuild their businesses and restore their livelihoods.
The massive fire broke out early Sunday, destroying around 40 shops and leaving a busy commercial stretch near the railway station in ruins.
During his visit to the affected market, Choudhary interacted with shopkeepers and assessed the extent of the damage. He said many of the affected traders belonged to middle-class families and had invested heavily in their businesses, particularly by stocking goods ahead of Diwali and other festive occasions.
Describing Shiva Market as one of Jammu’s prominent and longstanding commercial areas, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government had a responsibility to stand with people during difficult times.
He said he had visited the market on the directions of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who was in Delhi for official meetings and was expected to return to Jammu on November 2.
Special Relief To Be Explored For Traders
Choudhary said he had spoken with Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Arun Gupta, the market president and members of the market committee to understand the losses and concerns of the affected shopkeepers.
He announced plans to arrange a meeting between the traders and the Chief Minister. He would also call the Deputy Commissioner and the Jammu Development Authority vice chairman to the Secretariat to discuss possible relief measures.
Acknowledging that assistance under existing government guidelines might be limited, Choudhary said the administration would explore the possibility of providing additional support on a special-case basis.
He cautioned, however, that full compensation for all losses might not be possible, while assuring traders of the government’s cooperation in helping them restart their businesses.
Traders Suffer Heavy Losses Ahead Of Festive Season
The Deputy Chief Minister said the timing of the fire had worsened the financial burden on traders, who had stocked goods for Diwali, Vishwakarma Puja and Bhai Dooj.
He cited the case of a trader who had reportedly purchased goods worth Rs 50 lakh just two days before the fire, highlighting the scale of the losses suffered by local businesses.
Choudhary said the extensive structural damage, including severely affected roofs and exposed iron rods, reflected the intensity of the blaze.
He urged the affected shopkeepers to prepare a memorandum detailing their demands and submit it to the Chief Minister during the proposed meeting. He also said traders could undertake minor repairs to their shops ahead of Diwali, which falls on November 8.
Emphasising that the tragedy should not be politicised, Choudhary said the government’s response was driven by humanitarian concerns and its responsibility towards affected families.
He reiterated that the administration would explore every possible avenue to help the traders recover from the losses and resume their livelihoods.
