Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 27: Stating that Jammu and Kashmir has borne the brunt of militancy and experienced saga of miseries and loss of precious human lives to safeguard the country, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that clubbing this State with the category of hilly and geographically difficult States for extending Central financial support and industrial package falls short of justice to the people of this part of the country.
“The waging of militancy was against entire nation and Jammu and Kashmir was a theatre for enemies to operationalize its designs. We have scarified life and property, thousands of women were widowed and children orphaned. We have undergone tremendous downward dip in economy, the progress of the State remained stand still, thousands of youth were rendered jobless and trade and industries received series jolt”, he said adding that Jammu and Kashmir was injured to protect the country.
He said this truth needs to be borne in mind when the question of extending support to Jammu and Kashmir arises. He strongly advocated recognition of this status of Jammu and Kashmir and extending Central support to it for development and growth on this ground.
In order to help the State to overcome industrial backwardness and economic shortcomings, he said, the Central Government should announce Rail Coach Factory in the State as it has done for Punjab for the same reason. He also emphasized on transfer of Salal, Dulhasti and Uri power projects to the State while stressing on granting support to the State designed specifically for its specific needs. He said when the entire country was reaping the benefits of liberalization of industrial policy, Jammu and Kashmir was fighting the militancy war for the country. “The justice demands that we should be compensated and that too substantially for this reason”, he asserted.
“Do not take us at par with other States. We have been on forefront to safeguard the country. We have sacrificed for the nation. Do not place us in the category of hilly States when the question of extending help to Jammu and Kashmir arises”, he emphasized.
Addressing SMEs seminar on ‘Building Capacities for Sustainable Growth’ in Jammu and Kashmir organized by ASSOCHAM India here, the Chief Minister said that Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector has been engine of growth in any economy and contributes lion’s share in investment, employment, production and productivity. However, he said the large industries remain in focus of attention.
Omar said that MSME sector in the State has bravely withstood the turbulence, security issues, financial problems and many more difficulties associated with militancy and continued to contribute in the upliftment of State’s economy.
“Many units sunk while many swam through tumult waters and sustained the unfavourable environment. This denotes the enthusiasm and capacity of local entrepreneurs to face challenges”, he said and added that the State has witnessed outside business houses coming with the announcement of industrial package by the Centre and State Governments and disappearing with the disappearance of the concessions. He said Bari-Brahmana Industrial Estate still possess ruins of outside big industrial houses units which came here to take advantage of concessions and left lock, stock and barrel when package ended.
“I understand that industrialists are business minded and their goal is commercial benefits but showing presence for taking advantage of packages and leaving behind corporate sector social responsibility makes picture grim”, he said maintaining that organizing of seminars and functions by the India-Ink in the State time and again during last some years should result in establishing industrial units by big business houses in the State which is not visible so far.
The Chief Minister said that his Government has focused on the growth and upliftment of local entrepreneurs and development of MSME sector. “Small unit holders are receiving concentrated attention of the Government to help them grow on their own feet and attain new highs in the field. He said total dependence of MSME sector on Government procurement and concessions in a way puts hurdles in their growth and development.
Omar said industrial unit holders should not entirely depend on these two factors but explore free market for sustainable growth. He ensured full support of the Government to local industrialists in this regard. “The dependence on concessions and Government procurement puts you at risk on the business planet”, he said adding that if these two are not available your business will be at serious risk.
Omar said the role of Government in industrial development is of creating best environment for the entrepreneurs to take its advantage and grow. “I am also not in favour of reserving economic sectors for small and medium industries to venture upon. It should be left to them to invest as per their ability and capacity in the industrial fields they chose”, he said adding that reserving sectors of operation for small industrialists often put them in disadvantageous position.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia said that small and medium enterprises occupy an important and strategic place in economic growth and development and universalization of MSME holds key in the holistic welfare of a State like Jammu and Kashmir.
The seminar was addressed by the president Jammu Chamber and Commerce and Industries, V. Y Sharma and President Bari-Brahmana Industries Association, Anil Suri besides various office bearers of ASSOCHAM, Bankers and other corporate houses.
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