Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 9: Provincial president of J&K National Conference for Jammu, Rattan Lal Gupta has said that Government’s efforts to catalyze transformative changes in the industrial sector of Jammu and Kashmir since 2014 have remained insufficient and total failure as could be gauged from the health of this sector which is in worst shape with no sincere efforts visible on the ground.
In a statement issued to media here today, the senior NC leader questioned the BJP Govt at the Centre for its tall claims of industrialization, asking it to spell out the number of medium, small and large scale industries were established in Jammu Province and how much employment has been provided to industrial workers as per the commitment made by Amit Shah, Home Minister of India on the floor of the Parliament on August 5, 2019.
He said that the reality is that BJP’s anti-industrial policy and burden of GST has led to the closure of multiple industrial units and substantial number of industries on the verge of closure today. Not only this, even thousands of youth have lost their jobs due to the aforesaid closure.
Gupta said that except rhetoric the Government has nothing for the people of J&K as record of setting up new Industry in the last nearly 10 years remained dismal whereas the party in power has changed scenario of industries in the states ruled by it like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand etc. He said as far as the dispensation here is concerned, it has expertise in only signing the MoUs and making colossal promises but on ground the situation is dwindling with industry either running on crutches or ventilators as no one from the ruling side seems to be serious about bringing a meaningful change on ground.
“The incentives and GST handling are also pathetic because the stakeholders are craving for refunds but no one is there to listen to their plight. The industrial ecosystem demands a nuanced and strategic approach, which is missing here to address the unique challenges faced by the region. Inadequate connectivity, power shortages, and suboptimal logistical support continue to hinder the functioning of businesses”, he maintained, adding that bureaucratic red tape and regulatory complexities have persisted as formidable obstacles further deteriorating the situation.
He reiterated the National Conference’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial community and advocating for policies that foster growth, innovation, and prosperity.