JAMMU: Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga, today convened a meeting to review the progress of various projects being executed by different wings and corporations of Industries and Commerce Department in the state.
Minister of State for Industries and Commerce Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi, was also present in the meeting.
Ganga, while addressing the meeting, stressed upon the officers to step up efforts for making Jammu and Kashmir an industrially developed state with employment opportunities for local skilled and unskilled population. He asked them to be innovative in their approach towards their working system to further add to department’s efficiency and proficiency.
The Minister said that the government is going to create an e-Commerce platform to link 20000 artisans and weavers of the state for direct online sale of their products. The target is to increase the exports of Handicrafts and Handloom Products from the current level by Rs. 1000 crore annually besides serving the prime objective of minimizing the exploitation of the multiple layers of middleman-ship.
The Minister was informed that Rs 621 crore have been sanctioned by the government for up gradation of various industrial estates including Anantnag, Bijbehara, Pulwama and others for which tenders have been floated for execution of these works. Besides, Rs 15.59 crore have been sanctioned for up gradation of Sports Goods Complex Bijbehara, Integrated Infrastructure Development Centers Ganderbal, Ghatti-Kathua and Udhampur and others under TAMEIR.
Reviewing the functioning of Handicraft and Handloom sectors, the Minister was informed that for up gradation and renovation of various arts and emporium buildings /showrooms Rs. 4.69 crore have been sanctioned.
The Minster also reviewed the progress on up-gradation of Silk Weaving Factory Rajbagh and Bemina Woolen Mills under Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) funded by World Bank.
Ganga, while assessing the status of working of JKI, said that it is the most prestigious Public Sector Enterprise of the state which has a huge asset base in the form of built-up infrastructure, machinery and land property. He stated that the government is committed to tap all possible avenues to create employment avenues for state youth and highlighted the role of JKI in achieving this objective.
Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce department Shailendra Kumar Director Industries Jammu Director, Handloom Dev. Deptt, Director, Handicrafts Dev. Deptt Director, Geology & Mining Deptt. Managing Director, J&K SIDCO Managing Director ,J&K SICOP Managing Director J&K Handicrafts (S&E) Corp. Managing Director, J&K Handloom Dev and besides other senior officers of various departments were also present in the meeting.