Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Dec 1: For developing dedicated grid stations and sub-stations to Industrial Estates, four Industrial Estates are being taken up under pilot project in the first phase as a high-level joint meeting of Industries and Commerce Department with Power and Forest Departments took several important policy decisions today for ease of doing business in Jammu and Kashmir.
These four Industrial Estates, two each in Kashmir and Jammu provinces, include Ghati in Kathua, Samba –Phase III, Lassipora and Ompora, on which the work will start soon after detailing the projects, official sources, privy to the high level meeting, told the Excelsior.
Besides, the meet took several other important decisions in principle for round the clock power availability to Industries, streamlining Pollution Control Board procedure, increasing period for renewal of certificate and developing online as well as simplified system, sources added.
The joint meeting to discuss ‘Ease of Doing Business in J&K’, was chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal and attended by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga, Principal Secretary Power, Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Forests, R K Gupta, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, Shailendra Kumar, Development Commissioner Power, Gul Ayaz, Chief Engineer Power and other senior officers. Bali Bhagat, Minister for Forest, who was also scheduled to attend the meeting, could not turn up as he was out of station today.
In addition to 98 action points from Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, several issues related to Power Development Department and Forest Department, concerned with Industry and Commerce Department for ease of doing business in J&K, were discussed in the meeting for positive consideration.
As the Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to work out a mechanism by which hassle-free power supply is ensured to the industrial estates in J&K, the PDD decided to take up Ghati, Samba-Phase III and Ompora Industrial Estates for developing dedicated Grid Stations and augmenting the capacity of existing one for Lassipora Industrial Estate, sources elaborated and added that the work on these projects will start soon after detailing the project reports.
For streamlining the entire process and work out any nitty-gritty, sources informed that the meet also decided to formulate a high level committee of the officers of PDD and Industries and Commerce Department.
With regard to the issues from Forest Department/Pollution Control Board, concerned with Industry and Commerce Department, sources informed that in-principle decisions were taken for increasing the time of renewal pollution clearance certificate, eliminating un-necessary requirements for pollution certification, developing self monitoring system and no inspection of Green category units for five years.
The joint meeting resolved to vigorously develop online and simplified system for obtaining infrastructure related utilities in a time bound manner.
The three departments, Industries and Commerce, PDD and Forest will again hold a joint meeting for performance review by the end of this month, sources said.
Meanwhile, according to an official spokesman, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, while chairing the meeting, said it should be ensured that the requisite permissions are provided to the prospective industrialists within shortest possible time. He said power connections should be given to them within 15 days from the date of submitting the requisite documents needed for the purpose. The DyCM also directed the officers to work out a mechanism by which hassle-free power supply would be provided to the industrial estates in the State so that they do not face any inconvenience and contribute their bit in accelerating the industrial and economic activities in J&K, the spokesman added.
When contacted, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga, also informed that clear instructions have been given to the concerned departments and officers to create entrepreneur friendly atmosphere in the State which would in turn attract the industrialists to J&K to set up their units here thus contributing in job creation and increase of economic activities of the State.
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