Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 15: Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga, today said that Government is aiming to attract an investment of Rs 20,000 crore over the next 10 years in industrial sector by taking slew of industry friendly measures.
Winding up discussion on the demand of grants for Industries and Commerce Department, the Minister said that Government is focused on development of this vital sector, adding as per the latest economic survey by the Government, it contributes 25.87 % to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and various steps are being taken to strengthen the sector for socio-economic transformation of the State.
Highlighting the provisions of New Industrial Policy, the Minister said that Industrial Policy envisions Ease of Doing Business by simplifying the process of obtaining clearances, No Objection Certificates including self-certification of documents and others.
On handloom sector, Ganga acknowledged the challenges being faced from power looms and modernization in addition to lack of capital and investment. He said that Government aims to promote the sector through integrated handicraft development, handloom weaver comprehensive welfare and modernization schemes besides renovation of looms and loan assistance to cooperative societies.
Referring to the initiatives taken under skill development programme, Ganga said that during 2015-16, 7890 persons have been trained at the elementary and 553 persons in advanced training centres throughout the state, in various crafts like Sozni, Crewl, Papier Machie, Fulkari, Zari and Chain Stitching. He said that Artisan Credit Card scheme benefited 3453 artisans besides Rs. 26.36 crore were provided for Interest Subvention for the cases sanctioned during 2015-16.
The Minister said that Kashmir Haat Srinagar which was badly damaged during the floods of 2014 has been restored and made functional. He said that Weaver Credit Scheme of Government of India is being implemented by the Handloom Department with an aim to provide adequate and timely credit.
Regarding industry, the Minister said that many new initiatives are being taken up by the Government including creation of land bank of 20,000 kanals across the state, setting up of one Technology Centre and one Biotechnological Park at Industrial Estate, Ghatti (Kathua), Common Facility Centre for Leather products at Lassipora and Green Corridor at Lakhanpur for easing industrial and commercial related travel and transport.
Later, the House passed the grants of Industries and Commerce Department, for the year 2016-17, which were moved by the Minister, amounting to Rs 454.46 crore.
Earlier taking part in the discussion on demand of grants, Mohammad Ashraf Mir said that the industries like cement plants are operating in his constituency and the residents don’t get any benefit out of it. He demanded that Kashmiri handicrafts be included in the cross-LoC trade.
Gagan Bhagat said border firing and floods caused havoc and it led to the unemployment in his area. He wanted to know the steps taken by the Government for skill development of youth in his area. He said that the youth don’t get employment opportunities through Industries department.
Mubarak Gul suggested that while framing the new industrial policy the stakeholders of all the regions be taken into confidence. He said that unless there is industrial growth, unemployment will not be tackled. He demanded single window clearance for establishment of industries.
Rigzin Jora said that Industries Department has to convince people for establishment of industries so as to generate employment. He suggested that in Ladakh Pashmina should be developed as an industry. He said that common facility for seabuckthorn be developed in Ladakh. He said that Kashmir art which is back bone of economy in Kashmir should be promoted.
Hakeem Yasin said Government should come with a statement on GST. He said that the artisans who are selling shawls and other items are facing lot of hardships outside the state and he demanded the Government should safeguard their interests.
Noor Mohammad Sheikh said the Industries Department has the capacity to tackle unemployment but expressed concern over the functioning of the department. He said that the department should encourage small scale industries and give incentives to unemployed youth for setting up of industries.
Ravinder Raina said that hurdles that come in the way of people for establishing industries be tackled. He also demanded that silk processing unit be established in his constituency. He said regular power supply is a major concern for growth of industries in the State and it needs to be tackled. He said that road connectivity be improved in the rural areas and Industries be established there as land costs are lower than urban areas.
Shameema Firdous said that wood carving has been neglected by the government and no incentives are being provided to the artisans. She said that silk industry needs to be revived. Bashir Ahmad Dar said that the militancy had no impact on industries but it is due to lack of proper industrial policy of the Government.
Aijaz Khan said that agriculture based small scale industries be established in rural areas. He said local youth be given employment in mining. He said food processing units be established in rural areas so that it can give boost to local economy.
Rajeev Jasrotia raised the issue of establishing of industrial units in residential areas of Kuthwa. He said that children born there are handicapped. “The industries are established there just to get the subsidy and other benefits. Government is pressurizing small farmers to give land for industries but they have no other means of income”, he said.
Pawan Gupta said that no big private operator has established industry in the State during past one and a half year. “It is incentive driven industry and once the owners get the incentives they close it down leaving the employees in lurk. Large number of industrial units don’t come here as there is power problem. It should be tackled”, he added.
Abdul Rahim Rather suggested that those who are given entrepreneur development training at EDI be sent to various industries for practical training. He said IT, handicrafts and handloom sector be given impetus in Kashmir. He also said that wool and silk based industries be encouraged here.
Asghar Karbalare said granite industry be promoted in Kargil as there is lot of potential for it. He demanded that Cement industry be promoted in Matayan. He demanded cross border trade between Kargil and Askardu and apricot processing unit in Kargil.
Devinder Kumar Maniyal demanded that there is lot of land available in Samba constituency and it should be brought under industrial map. The locals be provided employment in the industrial units.
Engineer Rashid said that investors from outside be brought here but it should be joint venture. Majid Paddar said that local unemployed youth be encouraged for establishing small scale industries in Kashmir.
Dilip Parihar said that Doda area has been neglected in industrial development. He demanded food processing units and wool based industries be established in his constituency. Ali Mohammad Sagar said that Government didn’t take on board the opposition NC and Congress while framing the industrial policy.
Javed Rana demanded that the locals be given preference in establishing industrial units. He wanted to know what Government is planning for Rajouri and Poonch in industrail sector.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
