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Modi Govt took various steps to promote growth: LG
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Apr 23: Maintaining that development and good governance are key elements of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s leadership which will help in bringing peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal today said separatism and terrorism came from outside and are not linked to people living in India while Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that Narendra Modi Government has taken a number of steps to promote growth and development in the country.
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The Union Minister who was here to take part in a Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) conclave along with Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha was talking to reporters at its sidelines.
Asked about the arrest of ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh, Meghwal said “ I was in Delhi for the Global Buddhist Summit and people from Ladakh who were there said that they want peace’’.
He said India will lead the process of peace in the world.
“Separatism and terrorism are not in the hearts of those living in India but comes from outside’’, he added.
Meghwal said Modi Government is committed to undertake the welfare of all the people and winning their hearts through good governance and development. “It will unite the country and make it great.
Hitting out at Pakistan, Meghwal claimed that neighbouring country does not have, democracy, development and employment. “That is why you see such a situation in Pakistan’’, the Minister said when asked about the country’s efforts to derail peace and progress in J&K by engineering terror attacks.
Addressing the conclave, Meghwal asserted that discovery of biggest lithium deposits in foothills of Mata Vaishnodevi in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district is a blessing of the Goddess and that it is going to be historic milestone in Atma Nirbhar Bharat.
Meghwal was speaking to the investors and industrialists at a conclave organised by Laghu Udhyog Bharati here today.
“Go to any showroom, you will now get electric vehicles. One can get it fast. But there was a problem. It that can run on lithium based battery. Where can we get lithium? It imported from China and Brazil. But now with the blessings of Mata Vaishnodevi Devi, we got lithium under her feet (Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir). It is the biggest deposit of the world. It is not a small thing. It is going to be historic milestone in Atma Nirbhar Bharat”, Meghwal said.
The Minister said that Lithium deposits will not only give fillip and boost to Industrial sector in India but will give further push to the country to become Vishwa Guru under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
“We have got Lithium here. It will not only give great boost (to the economy of) Jammu and Kashmir but to the entire country as well. The industry will have huge jump as we have got a huge deposits of Lithum”, he said.
The Union Minister further said “God listened to us. Mata Rani listened to us. Under Modi Ji’s command, this country will become Vishwa Guru and in this, Jammu and Kashmir will have a great role”.
The Government is focussing on electric vehicles and hybrid model of transport and Lithium discovery will give this industry a huge jump.
”Now we are having electric buses and trucks. We also gave fillip to hybrid setup. Any trucker can use hybrid method by using petrol till he gets his vehicle charged. They can charge it next charging point and that too in the fast mode”, he said.
He said that Narendra Modi has set a target of five trillion economy for the country. “Now we are close to three trillion economy. This will make India a Vishwa Guru”, he said while asking participants to follow Panch Pran advocated by the Prime Minister.
He said that atmosphere is conducive for establishment of industry in Jammu and investors are coming to the UT to set up their units.
The North Zone MSME Conclave & Investors Meet’ was organised by Laghu Udyog Bharati .
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha shared the key initiatives of J&K administration to facilitate the MSMEs in the UT and to harness its unlimited potential.
“Under the guidance of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi , Government has taken a number of steps to promote growth and development of MSMEs in the country. Today, MSMEs account for more than 30% of India’s GDP and 49.5% of exports, thus contributing significantly to economic growth,” said the Lt Governor.
“The future economic growth will be driven by the MSMEs. We have taken several steps in the UT such as investment in innovation skills, MSME-centric industrial estates, access to financing, incentives and adequate infrastructure to boost the growth of MSMEs,” the Lt Governor added.
After August 5 in 2019, fear-free, corruption-free administration has become an integral part of our work culture. A record 1.88 crore tourists visited Jammu Kashmir last year. The first Foreign Direct Investment in J&K has also taken shape with the groundbreaking ceremony of Emaar Mall at Srinagar. IT towers are also coming up in Jammu and Srinagar, he further said.
Today, Jammu Kashmir offers vast resources with better incentives, better return on Investment, land for setting up industries & business ventures, skilled labour, technical support, improved connectivity, national & international air cargo facility, raw material, cheapest electricity, lowest crime rate, single window clearance and ease of Doing business, observed the Lt Governor.
Underscoring the important role of private sector in the UT’s growth, the Lt Governor asked the potential investors to take advantage of the business-friendly environment developed for the industries.
“J&K is emerging as a vibrant, fastest growing and most attractive investment destination. Today, the world is recognizing the all round transformation taking place in Jammu Kashmir. Renowned companies from across the country and abroad are looking forward to invest here. I welcome Industry leaders to be part of this journey”, said the Lt Governor.
Industrial development in J&K aims to create more inclusive, creative and sustainable society. The UT will play an important role as new engine of India’s growth in the future. New Industrial Scheme focuses on enabling environment to create jobs and increase productivity, he added.
Speaking on the effective measures taken in order to promote MSMEs, the Lt Governor said, 25% procurements from MSMEs have been made mandatory for Government departments & Public sector undertakings and local filter has also been made operational on GeM platform.
Since the launch of Udyam Registration portal in 2020, two lakh MSME units have been registered in J&K. As many as 38,000 micro and small enterprises are run by women. In the last financial year, 18,000 women-owned enterprises were provided assistance of more than Rs 500 crore under credit guarantee scheme, said the Lt Governor.
On the progress registered to boost the MSME sector, the Lt Governor said, under PMEGP, an unprecedented 21,640 manufacturing and service units were established in 2021-22. As many as 42 industrial estates will be set up in Jammu Kashmir in the next few years and out of these 34 industrial estates will be focused on MSMEs, noted the Lt Governor.
All 20 districts are being developed as export hubs and emphasis has been laid on the promotion of products which will boost MSMEs’ growth, he added.
There is immense potential for MSMEs in the field of Integrated Processing Facility, Mega Food Park and Cold Chain Logistics. The Holistic Agriculture & Allied Sector Development Plan worth Rs 5013 crores will boost the growth of MSMEs in J&K UT, observed the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor highlighted the efforts for reforms and strengthening of industrial ecosystem.
Massive reforms in terms of basic amenities, infrastructure and banking facilities have ensured stability and made the UT’s growth more inclusive, said the Lt Governor.
The work done for industrial development of J&K is clearly visible. In the last two years, Jammu Kashmir has received 5,372 investment proposals worth Rs 70,000 crore. Proposals worth Rs 24,000 crore from more than 1,800 companies have been approved, he added.
Dr Krishna Gopal, All India Margdarshak Laghu Udyog Bharati highlighted the favourable conditions for investment and development of industries in Jammu Kashmir.
Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce, J&K outlined the economic indicators and opportunities for Industrial growth in Jammu Kashmir. MP Jugal Kishore Sharma and BJP UT president, Ravinder Raina also spoke on the occasion.
Baldevbhai Prajapati, President, Laghu Udyog Bharati; investors, industrialists & entrepreneurs from across the country were present.