J&K has not stepped on to the industrial map of India. Some consider its geography and topography a hindrance in fast industrial development. Others attribute it to absence of industrial culture, skilled labour and proper will to turn the table. Whatever be the reason, the fact is that industrialization in our country has happened owing to strong initiatives of private entrepreneurship. Call it political uncertainty or understanding deficit or whatever, we have lagged behind. But the time has come when the entire matter of industrial sector of the State needs to be recast. We need a definite and clear cut industrial policy before we actually proceed on identifying the industries that will be taken up for development. Chief Minister’s suggestion of constituting Committees to be headed by Economic Advisor to the Government for framing sub-policy packages for industrially backward districts and various service sectors is a significant step forward in the direction of industrializing the State. It has to be reminded that the Union Government has always been making liberal offers and concessions for the growth of industrial sector in the state. Not only that, the Centre has been dismayed on some of the sanctioned projects for the State not taking off for one or the other reason. It is heartening to know that the Chief Minister, while speaking in the meeting of J&K State Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) recently, has clarified the policy of the Government in regard to industry and trade. In particular, backward districts of the State have to be treated on priority basis. Development of industries has been universally considered as key to overcoming the problem of unemployment among the youth. It was with this objective that the Prime Minister’s economic package provided opportunities for training our youth in various skills so that they would become instrumental in industrial entrepreneurship.
The CM is right in saying that industrialization of the State should be of uniform approach. This means that all districts in the State cannot have same industrial outlook for growth but each district has to be treated on its merits. These are technicalities of the projects that experts will deliberate upon when giving final shape to industrial policy. The CM has reiterated his demand that an integrated rail coach factory should be opened in the State. This is a very attractive and feasible suggestion. Now that Kashmir has been brought on the railway map of India and that further expansion of rail link inside the state is on the anvil, it is in fitness of things that a coach factory is established in the State. Rail connectivity in the State has huge prospect in years to come. The Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch rail link survey has already been completed. So is the Baramulla – Lolab link under consideration. All this augurs well for laying foundation for a rail coach factory. This will generate employment for skilled as well as non-skilled personnel. Rail coach factory means developing auxiliary industries also for which there is good scope. We are hopeful that given the goodwill of the Union Government to help J&K grow industrially, establishment of a coach factory will be considered on priority basis.
The State Government will need strengthening of its policy of providing incentives to local entrepreneurs in many ways to develop small scale as well as medium scale industries. Incentives in terms of easy and sufficient bank loans, land on lease, tax relaxation, support in exploring marketing opportunities etc. are the areas in which the government will have to make strong intervention. Along with crystallization of industrial policy, the government is also seized with the idea of adopting new parameters of balanced trade policy to augment trade and commerce of the state. All these efforts will go a long way in reducing unemployment in the State and helping it to move on to stages of prosperity and self sufficiency.
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