Hails LG Sinha for securing J&K IDS 2021 from centre
BK News
Srinagar, Jan 11: Hailing Lt Governor Manoj Kumar Sinha for securing an industrial package for Jammu and Kashmir from the central government, FCIK has sought categorisation of entire Kashmir division, and other far-flung districts, under ZoneB.
LG on Thursday announced a special industrial package, ‘Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K IDS 2021)’ approved by the PM Modi led Union Government with an outlay of Rs 28,400 crore for a period of 16 years from 2020-21 to 2036-37.
While appreciating some of the incentives incorporated in the scheme, the Federation Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), an apex body of the valley-based industrialists, said that entire Kashmir division and some other disadvantageous districts needed to be put under Zone B for obtaining maximum benefit for the scheme.
All the districts of J&K are categorised in ZoneA and ZoneB, as per the industrial development, quantum of investment and ease of setting of industries like communication, infrastructure, and other facilities. Those districts, which fall under B Zone due to lack of facilities are provided extra incentives in capital investment, interest subvention etc to encourage industrialisation and attract investment in those industrially backward districts.
Presently Kulgam, Shopian, Bandipora and Kupwara in Kashmir, and Reasi, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu district are categorised as ZoneB.
FCIK, in a written statement, said the members of the federation in a meeting called to discuss the new scheme while analysing components of the package observed that some of the incentives incorporated in the scheme were worth appreciating. But at the same time some vital incentives which should have found a place in the scheme were missing causing apprehensions on the achievement of the ambitious objectives, it said.
“Affording differential incentives to different zones had the potential to take industrialisation programme to far-flung areas for an equitable, balanced and sustainable socio-economic development of the region as was stated by the Lt Governor,” it said.
Justifying the reason for placing entire Kashmir in Zone B category, the FCIK said, “The members during the meeting regretted that the previous policy of 2002 that provided for uniform incentives lacked this basic understanding which led to inequitable growth and concentrated investment in just three out of 22 districts of the erstwhile state with about 90% of the incentives going there only.”
Whereas the new enterprises might take time to complete their ventures and initiate the process of employment, FCIK said the existing enterprises, if supported, had the potential of generating jobs immediately besides putting their fully or partially locked up assets to use.
While appreciating the ‘intention and vision’ of the Lt Governor for promotion of industry equitably in every nook and corner of J&K, FCIK said as such it was important that the package announced fulfilled his vision and does not miss the targeted objectives.
Vital interventions missing: FCIK president
FCIK also said that along with the central package, the industry would require many interventions at the UT level for facilitating and boosting the morale of entrepreneurs.
The federation expressed gratitude to the Lt Governor for putting in his hectic efforts in convincing the central government that the industrial sector in J&K had been craving for support and obtaining Centre’s approval for the scheme.
President FCIK Shahid Kamili said that the new industrial policy despite having many fruitful provisions had some deficiencies to meet the targeted objectives.
He said despite presenting difficulties and aspirations of the local industry to the central ministers and UT authorities, and their assurances, some of the vital interventions required for revival and growth of industry were missing in the package.
