Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: Minister for Labour and Employment Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today disclosed that Rs 9 crore have been released to the Industries Department for the refund of Value Added Tax in respect of industrial unit holders through SICOP.
The Minister said this while interacting with a joint deputation of Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) led by its President Anil Suri and Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu, led by its President Y.V. Sharma, which called on him today. They brought to his notice issues pertaining to release of funds to SICOP for VAT refund to the industrial units.
Mr. Sadhotra assured the deputation that he would take up the issue with the Chief Minister and Finance Minister for its early redressal.
Meanwhile, Mr Sadhotra called for launching a massive awareness drive to make people aware about various employment generation schemes launched by the Government for addressing the vexed problem of unemployment.
Reviewing the functioning of Employment Department here this afternoon, the Minister said that several initiatives have been taken to help unemployed educated youth to launch their units and become employers themselves.
The Minister hoped that the youth will benefit from these schemes and set example of being entrepreneurs in their own right. He particularly made a mention of the Self Employment Scheme, saying this has brought cheer to the lives of enterprising youth over the years.
Mr Sadhotra also discussed the registration of unemployed youth and the status of voluntary service allowance scheme. He also sought detailed information about the counseling programmes undertaken across the State.
Referring to the Self Help Group scheme, the Minister exhorted the officers to publicize the guidelines framed in this regard and ensure these are implemented in letter and spirit. He also sought convening of a meeting of EFA to discuss revised guidelines for Self Employment Scheme.
Present among others in the meeting were Secretary Employment B A Runiyal, Director Employment and senior officers of the department.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
