Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today directed the Industries Department to work out the strategy of establishing proposed Textile Park at a portion of HMT Factory land as it has stopped its functioning here for a long time now. He said that the matter should be pursued on fast track so that action on setting up of a Textile Park for the local entrepreneurs is taken up as early as possible.
The Chief Minister said that the Government is keenly pursuing the policy of industrialization in the State with focus on nurturing local entrepreneurs and generating employment for the youth. He said every step will be taken in this direction to help existing industrial units and encourage launch of new ones by the local youth.
Discussing the issues relating to the development of industries and handicrafts in the State in two separate meetings with Chamber of Commerce and Industries from Kashmir and Jammu and Federation Chamber of Industries, Kashmir here this afternoon, the Chief Minister assured the representatives of industries, handicrafts, trade and commerce of the full support of his Government for the flourishing of these sectors and welfare of the people associated with industrial sector.
The Minister of State for Industries, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary, Finance, B B Vyas, various heads of the departments and senior officers were present in the meeting.
The Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce gave overview of some new initiatives being undertaken for the growth and development of Industries besides revival of sick units.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu led by its President, Rakesh Gupta highlighted the issue of VAT refund, payment disbursement at treasuries, electricity concession, dedicated power supply lines to rice mills of R. S. Pura, procurement issue and industrial benefit to service industry. While the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries led by its President, Sheikh Aashiq Ahmad discussed the issue of coverage of 3.30 lakh artisans under the Handicraft Micro Enterprise Scheme. It also discussed matters relating to cash credit, term loans, moratorium period, repayment period, release of interest subsidy on yearly basis, full implementation of Dastkar Project, release of loan to artisans, subsidy on the loan, clearance of trade delegation for visit to LoC, creation of food parks in all the districts and construction of KCCI House at Rajbagh.
The Federation Chamber of Industries in its separate meeting discussed the issues pertaining to rehabilitation of potentially viable sick units by way of soft loan and exit policy, waiver of interest on electricity dues of MSME sector, settlement of loans with State Financial Corporation under OTS Scheme, marketing support to local issues. It also discussed matters relating to issuance of licence to unit holders, dedicated power supply, negative list industries, payment of SSI sector and Pashmina raw material.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to take detail account of all these issues and come up with the recommendations so that appropriate action is taken accordingly.
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