Aadil Abdullah
Bandipora, Feb 25 – The Bandipora Joinery Association holds an annual meeting at Dak Bungalow in Sumbal on Tuesday, drawing a large number of joinery mill owners from across the district. MLA Sonawari, Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone, attended as the chief guest, accompanied by Association District President Jameel Ahmed Dar, Vice President Bashir Ahmad, Spokesperson Irfan Ahmad, and other members.
The meeting provided a platform for mill owners to engage in direct dialogue with the MLA, highlighting several critical challenges facing their industry. Among the primary concerns raised were the complexities of licensing procedures and other departmental regulations. The members also requested the allocation of industrial land in their respective areas to facilitate expansion and growth. The meeting concluded with members receiving certificates of recognition.
MLA Hilal Akbar Lone assured the association members that their concerns would be brought to the attention of higher authorities, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and pledged to work towards swift resolutions.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bandipora Joinery Association President Jameel Ahmed Dar expressed optimism about the outcome. “Today, we held our annual meeting at Dak Bungalow Sumbal, attended by all members from Bandipora district. We raised important issues with MLA Sonawari, Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone, and we are hopeful that our demands will be addressed soon,” he stated. The association spokesperson echoed this sentiment.
MLA Sonawari, Advocate Hilal Akbar Lone, thanked the association for the invitation and acknowledged the validity of the issues raised. Specifically addressing concerns regarding licensing and the departmental requirement for a 3-kilometer distance between joinery mills, he assured the members, “I will take up this issue with the concerned department.”
Regarding the demand for industrial land, MLA Lone informed the attendees about the government’s announcement of 1,000 kanals for Bandipora district, with 700 kanals designated for Sonawari and 300 for Bandipora. He emphasized the potential of this land to generate livelihoods and create employment opportunities within the community.
MLA Lone reiterated his commitment to addressing the association members’ genuine demands as a priority, promising to escalate the issues to higher authorities for prompt action.
