Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Association of Industries (AOI), Gangyal, Jammu has alleged that industrial sector in the J&K state is facing serious threat due to total neglect and has reached at the verge of closure.
Expressing shock at the treatment being meted out to local Micro / Small industrial units by the State Govt, Rattan Dogra, president, AOI has highlighted that Association together with the entire industrial community of the State was in the forefront to endorse the extension and implementation of GST regime in the State based upon the assurances of all the major functionaries of the then State Government that the competitive edge as existed in VAT regime to local Micro / Small units shall be continued. The State Government assurances have virtually been denied since the grievances of the local units have remained unattended despite a lapse of over one and half years as the State Government has not considered to provide adequate fiscal package aimed at restoring competitive edge, Dogra said.
AOI president further expressed that State Government does not appear to be providing due consideration to protect the very existence of the local Micro / Small sector so as to acknowledge their sincere contribution in providing large scale employment opportunities to at least 3 lakhs largest beyond State Government. Rational behind frequent administrative changes (though within the State Government prerogative) particularly in the Industries and Commerce Department have started having adverse impact upon the existence of the entire Micro / Small sector. As the authorities at the helm of affairs are frequented with the grievances to devise remedial measures. Such transfers have only resulted in compounding the pendency of the grievances.
Dogra alleged that local Micro / Small sector is further being harassed and threatened with the sword of removal of Toll tax at Lakhanpur which shall strike at their very existence consequent to State Government’s refusal to provide adequate state fiscal package to restore competitive edge that existed in earlier VAT regime.
Association of Industries sought the intervention of the Governor and his Advisor to restore the confidence of the local Small / Micro sector to devise and implement the State Government’s assurances.
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