Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 12: A delegation of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by it’s president Sheikh Ashiq Ahmed called on the Union Minister for Commerce & Industry and Civil Aviation, Suresh Prabhu at New Delhi and projected their issues.
The KCCI president drew the attention of the Union Minister towards the precarious condition of the State’s economy due to the after effects of September 2014 floods, disturbances of 2016 and the subsequent economic slowdown and urged for special multi-level interventions to negate the effect of many disadvantages that commerce and industry of the J&K is faced with.
Specific interventions for promotion and marketing of Handicrafts, Tourism, Horticulture and Industrial sector were suggested and taken note of. The Minister was informed about the Trade, Commerce & Industrial conclave being organized by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry and were assured appropriate support in this regard.
The Minister, while assuring the delegation of full support from his Ministry, was kind enough to facilitate a detailed interaction of the delegation with officials of the Commerce & Industry Ministry for charting out a roadmap for structured resolution of pending Trade, Commerce and Industry related issues and formulation of policy interventions.
Among other issues relating to the industrial sector, the blockade of working capital of industrial units of Jammu & Kashmir on account of non-disbursal of GST Refund was discussed. The requisite DIPP inspections for disbursal are not being carried out. Uday Singh Mina, Director DIPP informed the delegation that the Ministry was already seized of the issue and had issued directions for disbursal of GST Refund without DIPP inspection for a period of six months.
The issue of geographical indication of saffron, spices and honey under Brand Kashmir was discussed with Susheel Satpute, Director Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the Ministry.
The Minister issued on spot directions for examination and follow-up of the suggestions of the Kashmir Chamber and showed special interest in the promotion of Handicrafts.
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