‘Towns known for militancy, now known for industry’
*Much better industrial incentives than any other State
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 10: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today said Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed lot of changes during last four years including an end to street violence, hartal culture etc and called upon Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to come and invest in the Union Territory which has been giving best incentives to the industry as compared to all States.
Inaugurating 9th India International MSME Expo and Summit 2023 in New Delhi this morning, Sinha said people ask what has changed in Jammu and Kashmir during last four years.
“Let me tell you that street violence has completely ended in Kashmir. Terrorists, separatists and Pakistan used to give calls for hartals and schools, colleges, universities, trade etc remained shut for 150 days in a year. All this is now part of the history,” he said.
He added that the people are now free to live their own life without dictates from anyone.
“Earlier, the people used to reach their houses before it was dark. Now, theatres are running in Kashmir. Even after 10 PM you will find people singing on guitars, relishing ice creams etc like other European cities in Srinagar,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Asserting that the Government has succeeded in establishing total people and stability in Kashmir resulting into development, he said with support of the local people G20 summit was a complete success and representatives of 27 countries have sent very special message abroad which will bring more foreign tourists to Jammu and Kashmir.
Listing various incentives under Industrial Development Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha called upon the MSME sector to come and invest in Jammu and Kashmir which was giving incentives to the industry best from all other States.
Sinha said Shopian, Pulwama, Baramulla, Anantnag etc which were known for “other reasons” (a reference towards hotspots of militancy) are now known for micro and other enterprises which are benefitting people including the youth a lot. Even women are running 74,000 small enterprises, he added.
He said 2021 Industrial Development Scheme has far better incentives than any other Scheme. He added that it will fulfil aspirations of the people.
“We are expecting industrial investment proposals to touch Rs 80,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir. Already investments to the tune of Rs 26,000 crore to Rs 27,000 crore is on ground. We are trying to remove all obstacles in the investments,” Sinha said.
He said the air and road connectivity is now much better in Jammu and Kashmir and train will also reach the Valley in February next year.
“Till July this year, 1.27 crore tourists visited Jammu and Kashmir and the numbers this year are expected to be around 2.25 crore,” he said, adding that work on Rs 1.5 lakh crore worth National Highways and tunnel projects are going on in the Union Territory.
An official handout said: The Lt Governor commended the MSME Development Forum for its endeavours to bring together policymakers and entrepreneurs for the promotion of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
“Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises are accelerating India’s economic growth and powering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
Initiatives such as MSME Expo, trade fairs provide an important platform to spread awareness about government schemes, policies and to explore new business opportunities in the sector, he added.
At the Expo, the Lt Governor shared the key interventions of UT administration to facilitate the growth of MSMEs in J&K.
“MSMEs are the backbone of industrial growth and equitable development. Our commitment to industries, Small and Medium Enterprises and institutional support as well as infrastructural facilities in J&K is showing results,” the Lt Governor said.
Highlighting the immense potential of the MSME sector in Jammu & Kashmir, the Lt Governor said, as many as 2.81 lakh MSMEs have been registered on the Udyam portal in last 3 years, reflecting the sector’s remarkable growth trajectory, he added.
Sinha underscored the important role of Small and Medium Enterprises in skilling of youth, promotion of One District One Product (ODOP) and handicraft and handloom sector in the UT of J&K.
Micro & Small enterprises have also become a powerful medium for socio-economic change for women entrepreneurs. Today, more than 74,000 SMEs are being run by women in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor said.
For the promotion of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, the UT Administration had also taken an important decision and increased the total procurement of Government Departments and Public Sector Undertakings from MSMEs to 25 percent, he added.
The Lt Governor also launched the One District One Product (ODOP) Box of J&K UT. He said all the districts of J&K are being developed as export hubs and efforts are being made to take the One District One Product Box launched today to the global market.
More than 40 exhibitors, supported by JKTPO, are participating in the 9th India International MSME Expo & Summit 2023, showcasing their innovative products, services, and solutions across diverse sectors.
The Lt Governor also visited the stalls installed by MSMEs and other stakeholders displaying local products from UT of J&K.
Rajnish Goenka, Chairman, MSME Development Forum; Alexander Rybas, Trade Commissioner of Russian Federation in India; Dr Deepak Vohra, Indian Diplomat; Dr Sharad Kohli, National Board member, MSME Development Forum, foreign and domestic business delegates, investors, entrepreneurs and representatives of MSMEs were present on the occasion.
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