*Asks PDD, PHE to stop unscheduled cuts
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 9: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said it was a great achievement of the State Government to ensure protection of the special position of the State while extending GST to Jammu & Kashmir.
Interacting with members of several industrial and trade bodies after inaugurating the modernised and upgraded Udyog Bhawan here today, the Chief Minister said one of the major benefits of the GST has been that it brought the people of the two regions, particularly traders, on the same page during the hectic discussions before its implementation in the State.
Mehbooba said the State has a specific geographic position which is not so conducive to business activities and, as such, the people in general and the business community of the State in particular needed to be given some protections and guarantees. The CM said she was thankful to the Centre that they conceded to the requests and sensitivities of the State Government on the issue and incorporated necessary safeguards in the Presidential Order on the GST.
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She assured members of the industry that Government would continue to support them as it feels that local industry is an important source of employment for the youth and it plays a significant role in local economy. She said the State Government would continue to support local industry and extend all incentives and concessions to it in the SGST regime which were in vogue earlier.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh in his intervention said the Government is keen to develop local industry in the State. He said a dedicated system of power distribution is being put in place to ensure round the clock electricity to the Industrial Estates in the State. He sought cooperation from the members of State’s industry in its efforts to protect and promote local industry in the State.
Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga in his address said the Government under the instructions and continued guidance of the Chief Minister is determined to turnaround many of the sick units like Joinery Mills, Silk and Woolen Mills to make them profitable ventures. He said the infrastructure at Industrial Estates is being upgraded to match the increased requirements of entrepreneurs with the changing times.
Vice-Chairmen of several Industrial Corporations; Comm-issioner/ Secretary, Shailendra Kumar and other senior officers of divisional administration and Industries & Commerce Department were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the modernized and upgraded Udyog Bhawan at Railhead, which has been redone with the use of local art pieces like Khatamband and other woodworks. She also formally unveiled the Data Centre there which would have online stocking of items by the SICOP besides GIS mapping of all the Industrial Estates.
The Data Centre has been set up to put in transparency and accountability in the functioning of various agencies of Industries Department. It would also have an application tracking system by which any industrialist or entrepreneur can access the status of his or her complaint or request anytime. Besides, the Data Centre would also be linked to the Traffic Department for executing e-challans and managing the traffic signalling systems in Srinagar and Jammu cities.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, today reviewed the arrangements put in place by the divisional administration of Jammu to meet needs of people during the summer months.
Deputy Chief Minster, Dr. Nirmal Singh and Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Choudhary were present in the meeting.
The Chief Minister expressed dismay over the reports of unscheduled power and water cuts during peak hours. She directed the PDD not to resort to unscheduled cuts in power supply so that people are not inconvenienced.
She asked the Department to stick to the published curtailment schedule so that no unscheduled cuts are resorted to. She also directed the concerned Department to ensure availability of spare transformers with it and install them quickly as and when any transformer breaks down anywhere.
Mehbooba asked the PHE Department to regulate the drinking water supply properly and ensure that pilferage in terms of washing of vehicles etc. is arrested. She also directed pressing into service tankers in areas where regular water distribution is not possible.
The Chief Minister specifically enquired about the status of availability of water and electricity at the Kashmiri Pandit migrant camps at Purkhoo, Mishriwala, Jagti and other places. She directed the divisional administration to dispatch water tankers to the migrant camps from where reports of water shortage are received. She also directed ensuring proper power supply to migrant camps and ensure that minimum cuts are enforced there.
Mehbooba directed ensuring proper water and electricity supplies to schools which are opening after the summer break.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, M K Bhandari; Commissioner/Secretary, PDD, Dheeraj Gupta; Secretary, PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Saurabh Bhagat; Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Rajiv Ranjan; Chief Engineers of several engineering wings and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
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