*11094 kanals of land identified for new industrial estates
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 19: Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga today said that the Industries and Commerce Department contributes more than 25% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and the Government is making efforts to increase it manifold in coming years.
Winding up the discussion on demand of grants for the departments under his charge, the Minister said the Government has introduced effective measures to create conducive atmosphere for entrepreneurs interested in setting up business units thereby contributing in improving the industrial growth of the State.
The Minister said the Government is making diligent efforts to generate employment opportunities through establishment of micro industrial units in rural as well as urban areas. He said under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and various other employment schemes benefits have been provided to the unemployed youth of the State.
Under PMEGP a total of 11691 youth in the State under this bank tie-up scheme with margin money of Rs 171.49 crore provided by GoI ending March, 2016 have benefitted, he added.
This has resulted in creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities for a total of 60882 persons and the consolidated figures for the current financial are expected to be much higher, he informed.
He said the New Industrial Policy, 2016 will pave way for a focused development in many sectors which have a high output potential in our state like food processing, silk reeling, wool and woven fabrics of wool, leather, pharmaceutical, wood based industries, computer/electronic, handicrafts and handloom.
With regards to the establishment of new Industrial Estates in the State, the Minister said that this is a priority matter for the State and many steps have been introduced on the ground for the same.
“We have already identified 11094 kanals of State land in various parts of the State for establishment of industrial estates in addition to the existing 53 industrial estates in the State spread over an area of 31335 kanals and the 29 industrial estates which are under different stages of development”, the Minister said.
He added that the Government is also focusing on up-gradation of infrastructure of various industrial estates at a cost of Rs 138 crore and the project for which has already been approved, he said.
The Minister also said that the department is also working continuously to impart skill development training to them and for this department is running multiple institutes including Entrepreneur Development Institute (EDI), Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) and Craft Development Institute (CDI) besides running 553 Training Centres of Handicraft department and 109 training centres of Handloom Department.
The Minister said that Government will also be introducing an e-commerce platform to link 20000 artisans and weavers of the State with the potential buyers.
Cross-LoC trade has been an essential faction for the trading community of the State, especially for the border districts and Government is taking various steps to make trade easier and modern, including creation of banking facilities and opening of more routes, the Minister said.
Later, the House passed the grants of Industries and Commerce department for the year 2017-18 moved by the Minister, amounting to Rs 55903.10 lakh with voice vote.
Earlier, while initiating the discussion, Mubarak Gul demanded package for the rehabilitation of businessmen affected during the Kashmir unrest. He pleaded for involving the local industrial units to process the raw material available in the State. He also called for taking steps to encourage and create conditions for upgrading human resource through skill development, creation of new employment opportunities and introduction of modern techniques and designs in the handloom and handicrafts sectors.
Gul also advocated for generating employment opportunities by establishing more industrial units in the State. He also called for reviving the single window system for registration process.
Abdul Rahim Rather called for releasing incentives under various schemes including Capital Investment Subsidy scheme. This, he said would make the entrepreneurs self reliant. He also demanded that such incentives should reach the stakeholders well in time.
Rajeev Jasrotia called for maximum exploration of the natural recourse of the State. He also pleaded for earmarking industrial zone in every district headquarter. Jasrotia suggested for clubbing various industrial units of the State saying this would give further boost to state economy.
Asgar Ali Karbalaie called for starting innovative measures to engage the youth of the State in entrepreneurship, especially in Kashmir valley.
He said in order to explore granite in the Ladakh region the Government must come up with a comprehensive policy for promotion of granite exploration. He also called for establishment of processing units for granite and Pashmina. Pitching for opening of more LoC routes, Karbalaie said that the move would prove beneficial for the State’s socio-economic development.
Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen Shah sought steps for revival of silk units and industries in the State. He also called for establishment of units in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on the analogy of Jammu and Kathua districts.
Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar demanded strict check on the illegal excavation of sand, bolders, minerals etc from Nallhah Sindh, Jhelum and other nallahs and sought strict action against the people involved in the plunder.
Bashir Ahmad Dar said that there was a huge potential for setting up of industrial units in district Kupwara and urged the Government to take immediate necessary steps in this regard.
Noor Mohammad Sheikh advocated for comprehensive policy for creation of industrial units in the State to generate employment opportunities for un-employed educated youth. He also urged for revival of Bemina Woolen Mill and Silk Industry Rajbagh Solina.
Sat Pal Sharma advocated for expansion of industrial sector in the State particularly in small scale sector to generate employment opportunities. He demanded for single window clearance of cases for establishing industrial units. He also urged for maximum exploitation of Sapphire.
G. M. Saroori demanded comprehensive policy to boost industrial sector in the State and urged for laying special focus on embroidery, handloom and handicrafts. He said despite sufficient land available in Doda and Kishtwar districts the government has failed to promote industry in these areas. He also urged for boosting cocoon production in the potential areas.
Pawan Kumar Gupta asked Government to come clear on the measures taken to boost the industrial sector in the State. He further said that the industrial units in Udhampur and other areas of the Jammu region should be strengthened.
Altaf Ahmad Wani said that Government must reach out to the carpet and Paper Machie artisans with some rejuvenated schemes.
Devender Singh Rana demanded that Government must release the Seed Capital Fund to the entrepreneurs and industrial units.
Mohammad Akbar Lone urged the Government to facilitate the vacation of the industrial units in his constituency under the occupation of security forces.
Shah Muhammad Tantray urged for opening of industrial units in Poonch district
Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari urged the Government to clear pending tenders and leases pertaining to the Industrial Department. He said that Government must also take measures to exploit the Kupwara marble mines.
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