Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reiterated the demand for rail coach factory in the State to overcome the economic stress and address unemployment problem caused due to militancy.
The Chief Minister said that this matter would be given further thrust at the Union Government level, adding that such an initiative by the Central Government is significantly needed to expand economic activities, give fillip to industrialization and create substantial jobs for youth.
Chairing the meeting of J&K State Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) of which he is the Chairman also, the Chief Minister directed for constitution of Committees to be headed by Economic Advisor to the Government for framing sub policy packages for industrially backward districts and service sectors like agriculture, IT and transport etc to help growth and development of feasible industries all across the State.
Omar Abdullah said that the benefits of packages and concessions available in the field of industry should accrue universally bringing industrially backward districts under its focus properly. He said identification of areas for launch of feasible industrial units and encouraging budding entrepreneurs at district level should form the important ingredient of this programme. He said there is greater scope for establishing industrial units especially in MSME sector in all the districts of the State. “This needs to be harnessed and youth facilitated and encouraged to come forward and be players in the industrial development process in the State”, he added.
Highlighting the need for a befitting and comprehensive Trade Policy in the State, the Chief Minister directed the Committee he has constituted in this respect recently, to timeline its task and come up with the Policy as soon as possible. He said a well defined Trade Policy is essential to help the growth and expansion of trade and commerce activities and encourage young people to venture in this sector.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister of State for Industries, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Economic Advisor to the Government , Jalil Ahmad Khan, Principal Secretary Planning, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretaries of various departments, senior officers and representatives of trade, commerce and industrial bodies from Kashmir and Jammu.
In a Power Point presentation, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, Shantmanu gave over view of the activities under way in the State for the growth and development of industrial sector and creation of new industrial eStates at different places in the State.
The meeting discussed matters relating to the industrial policy, labour issues, incentives, subsidy, extension of Government of India package, taxation matters, VAT refund, review of customs duty on copper, power sector issues, improvement to power infrastructure, issues relating to forest and pollution control, creation of infrastructure, marketing support, building fee, MSME sector, skill development, raw material for Pashmina, work tax on job work and other matters relating to the industrial development in the State.
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