First woman member of Kashmir Chamber quits

Just two years after winning elections of the 81-year-old traders’ body, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), first-ever woman treasurer Gazalla Amin (51) has tendered her resignation from the post.

Just two years after winning elections of the 81-year-old traders’ body, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), first-ever woman treasurer Gazalla Amin (51) has tendered her resignation from the post.

In-2013-Gazalla-Amin-hogged-headlines-when-she-became-the-first-Kashmiri-woman-to-become-the-KCCI-treasurer-HT-Photo

Sources said Amin, owner of Fasiam Agro Farms, mainly producing herbal and medicinal products, has decided to quit the KCCI. She has dashed off a resignation to KCCI president Sheikh Ashiq, who is out of station.

“Yes, I have tendered my resignation,” said Amin, without citing any reason.

In 2013, Amin hogged headlines when she became the first Kashmiri woman to bag 372 votes out of 471 votes polled by the 1000-plus strong business group to become the KCCI treasurer.

Kashmir has a very negligible presence of businesswomen. The KCCI has only two women members. Amin first contested the KCCI polls in 2012 but failed to garner enough support.

Amin’s election to the significant post was seen as a new dawn for woman entrepreneurs of the region to assert on the business scene of the Kashmir Valley. Sources in the KCCI said there will be a meeting on the issue once the KCCI president returns from outside. The KCCI is yet to accept her resignation, said sources. Amin has been upset with the KCCI’s failure to set up a women’s wing. Of late, her busy schedule outside the state saw many raising questions within the KCCI also.

It remains to be seen if the KCCI will allow her to leave the organisation, with many members, sources said, opposing the idea of not having a woman officer bearer in the KCCI.

All eyes are on Sheikh Ashiq, who feigned ignorance about receiving the resignation.