Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 13: Strongly advocating for implementing the Goods Services Tax (GST) in the State, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of North Eastern States, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the provisions in GST will certainly boost the economy of the State and put it on the track to emerge as a part of the global economy towards which India is heading.
Addressing a function organized by Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry here today, the Union Minister strongly criticized those who have reservations whatsoever, against brining GST to the State and said that they need to ask themselves whether their reservations are based on the merits or demerits of GST per se, or they are motivated by certain extraneous considerations regardless of the economic benefit accruing from GST. In the latter case, he said, they will have to do a lot of explanation to the people of the State, particularly the business and trade community, for having deprived them from the benefit of GST.
Maintaining that terrorism should not be linked with trade, Union Minister said that “we can’t wait till last guns becomes silent”, adding problem is in one area of the State, the Jammu has not to suffer and pay prize for that”.
He said by stopping trade due to terrorism gives a wrong signal and indirectly supports terrorism. “This gives an impression that you have not stopped the trade but supported terrorism instead of working for your own interest”, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that time has come that the State of J&K and its business community will have to come out of the mindset of being subsidy seekers’ and instead aim at becoming subsidy givers., For long the trade and business in the State has been dependent on Central incentives and benevolence, which might have also intimidated the initiative to be on our own, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that just two to four hours away from Jammu, cities like Jalandhar and Amritsar have become business hubs of North India, while Jammu still has a long way to go. He said time has come to ask ourselves, is it because instead of providing incentives, there have been series of disincentives against investment or establishment of Industry in J&K.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi entire country is moving on a fast track of economic growth and if we choose to deprive ourselves of this fast growth, for whatever reason, it may be too late to catch up with the rest of the country. Under PM Modi even Northeast has fast emerged as an investment hub for organic farming and local entrepreneurship, and therefore it would be a tragedy that a State like Jammu and Kashmir, which does not have the disadvantages of lack of connectivity and distant terrains like Northeast, ultimately ends up as a loser in race.
Dr Singh made it clear that the Delhi has no problem in allocation of funds for developmental works but it is the laxity on the part of State which failed to prepare DPRs and send them in time.
On the State Government’s demand of taking power projects back, Dr Singh said the State has no capacity of constructing the projects on its won. On Dulhasti IInd the work has been stopped and the Government can’t run the power projects taken back from NHPC, he added.
He also announced establishment of factory for repairing of rail coaches in the State and said that Railway Minister has promised me the same in the coming budget.
He warned that if conditions of boosting industry and other developmental projects in the State are not created tomorrow the youth will be forced to migrate. “If we go through political considerations no one will be ready to cross Lakhanpur for investment in the State”. He made it clear that if you want that the next generation should have any future in industry and it should flourish in the State, the GST is the only alternative.
Addressing the function Minister of Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga also strongly advocated for GST and said that present Government is for boosting industry in the State.
He however made an appeal to Union Minister in seeking his intervention for granting North East pattern incentives to the State.
Addressing the function Minister of State for Education and Tourism Priya Sethi highlighted various schemes undertaken for tourism development in the State. In this regard she made a special reference to recently Rs 500 crore package given by Modi Government in tourism sector and Rs 500 crore package sanctioned for horticulture sector.
She also referred to introduction of craft tourism in the State and said that Union Minister of Textiles, Simriti Irani had shown her willingness in extending all support in this regard.
Earlier in his address president CCI Rakesh Gupta highlighted the charter of demands. He demanded rail coach repair factory for Jammu, exemption under GST to industries, starting of Parade on Suchetgarh Border Post on pattern of Wagah , Amritsar for promotion of tourism, Air connectivity for higher and hilly reaches of Jammu region, Rail connectivity to erstwhile Doda district and Poonch and Rajouri districts, establishment of IT Park, exploiting natural resources for generation of power in erstwhile Doda district, laying the foundation stone for AIIMS, framing a trade policy as small traders are feeling threat with coming of big business houses.
General secretary Chamber Arun Gupta who made the introductory address expressed concern over harassment caused to traders at Lakhanpur Toll Post since the demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes.
The vote of thanks was proposed by R K Langer, senior vice president of CCI.
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