Omar-led Govt committed for revival, boosting Industrial Growth in J&K: Dy CM Surinder Choudhary
Rattan Lal demands immediate release of due incentives to Local Industrialists
Jammu, June 14: A mega industrial convention was organised today by Vikram Puri, Chairman of the Trade and Industries Wing, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), to highlight the concerns of the business and industrial community of Jammu region. The event saw participation from a wide cross-section of industrialists and business leaders from across Jammu region, including Digiana, Bari Brahmana, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur and Ghatti.
On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, who also holds the portfolios of Industries & Commerce, Roads and Buildings, Labour & Employment, Skilled Development, was the chief guest. The programme was chaired by Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President JKNC.
During the event, members of various industrial associations namely Ajit Bawa President Kathua Association, Varinder Jain President Gangyal Association, Lalit Mahajan President Bari Brahmana Association, TS Reen Ex President Gangyal Association, Anil Suri Ex President Bari Brahmana, Sunil Verma Industrialist Udhampur, Sanjay Puri, P Mark Industry, Abhi Bansal Saraswati Agro, Anshal Gulati Gulati Oil Mills and Rohit Sehora Association of Industries Samba raised long-standing issues confronting them and also suggested measures overcome the issues.
In his address, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary gave a patient hearing to the concerns raised by the stakeholders. He assured the gathering that the Omar Abdullah-led government is fully committed to the growth and protection of local industries in Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged the dismal state of industrial development in the region and said the government would ensure that all due benefits and incentives under their control as UT are released promptly.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the government’s resolve to develop a business-friendly environment and take immediate steps to restore investor confidence, create jobs, and promote both industrial and tourism sectors in a holistic manner. He further assured that more and more local youths will be absorbed in new Industries establish onwards.
Speaking on the occasion, Rattan Lal Gupta stated that the establishment of a single industrial unit can generate employment for hundreds, yet the region’s potential has been ignored. He said due to lack of interest and negligence of previous regime, over 60% industrial units in Jammu and Kashmir are on the verge of closure. He particularly criticised the Central Government for failing to release GST benefits and other financial incentives to local industries, thereby stifling their growth.
Rattan Gupta also questioned the outcome of the Rs 85,000 crore MoU signed by the LG Sinha led administration for industrial development and employment generation. He asked where the promised industries and jobs were and why the benefits were not visible on the ground. He alleged that the recent allotment of industrial land was done in haphazardly manner and ignored local entrepreneurs. He further blamed the previous BJP-led government for failing to develop Jammu’s tourism sector, citing the neglect of tourist destinations such as Patnitop, Mansar, Purthu Beach in Kathua.
The Provincial President also expressed concern that the Kashmir Rail Connectivity would also pose a threat to Jammu’s industrial economy if local industries are not protected and incentivised. He appealed to the central government to announce a special, comprehensive package for new Industries and also industrial revival package for Jammu to safeguard the region’s economy.
Arun Gupta, President CCI Jammu expressed concern over the lack of commercial infrastructure in Jammu, noting that no new commercial market has been developed in the last 28 years except for Bahu Plaza. He criticised the Smart City initiative, alleging that its funds are being wasted on renovation of already developed areas instead of creating new commercial hubs that could help boost trade and employment. He also urged the Govt to develop the pilgrimage sites falling in Jammu division.
Prominent among those who were present in the mega event included: Sheikh Bashir Ahmad Provincial Secretary, Bimla Luthra former MLA, Pardeep Bali Provincial Secretary Jammu, Vijay Lochan Chairman SC Cell, Abdul Gani Teli Chairman OBC Cell, D.S Chouhan President Legal Cell, S. Tejinder Singh Provincial President YNC Jammu, Rakesh Singh Raka Vice President Central Zone, Vijay Laxmi Datta Senior leader, Dilshad Malik, Rita Gupta Vice Presidents Central Zone, Ashwani Abrol, Arun Deep Singh Senior Vice President Trade and Industry Cell, Rajesh Chaddha Vice President Trade and Industry Cell, Gurdip Singh Wazir Secretary Trade and Industry Cell, Karan Mahajan Joint Secretary Trade and Industry cell,Ashish Sharma Treasurer Trade and Industry Cell and others.
