January 9 (Vijay Kumar) –“Jammu and Kashmir offers wide ranging potential for investors in the sectors of tourism, power development, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, health, education, software technology, etc”, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on Saturday said asking the NRI-investors to themselves feel the state’s palatable environment by visiting it, and not framing opinion on the reports regarding security situation coming out from the state. “The stray incidents of violence should not be made measuring stick for taking the decisions about investing in the state”, he said adding that there is a world of difference between that you read and the reality on ground in Jammu and Kashmir.
In his address at the Plenary Session on Skills Development of 3-day Pravasi Bhartiya Divas at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi Omar said that creation of a strong skilled force in the state is on anvil to catapult employability and make available the required manpower for modern industries.He strongly counseled Indian Diaspora to be part in the process of reconstructing Jammu and Kashmir as a model state. “You will find the state more lucrative and hospitable for venturing”, he told the Non-resident Indians (NRIs).
“While Government is offering special packages for investors, the people are so hospitable and land so charming that you once visit here will not like to leave”, he said amid repeated applauses.
Omar said that the Government is putting in all efforts to upgrade the temperament for venture raise in the state. “We have also adopted a pragmatic approach for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode for joint ventures”, he said maintaining that there is also greater scope for partnership between the outside private investors and the local industrialists.
He said he is himself heading the Skills Development Mission launched effectively in the state under the national policy and Skills Development Council headed by Chief Secretary to oversee its implementation.
JK CM said that 18 new Polytechnic Colleges are being established in the state while 48 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be upgraded. Of these, 12 Institutes are under PPP mode for which Union Government has provided the assistance of Rs.2.50 crore per institute.
“The Task Force on skills development with CII and tie up with NASSCOM for upgrading skills of young persons and enhancing their employability in private sector, has already been put in place”, Omar said adding that computer literacy from the school level has also been introduced for the purpose.
Omar said that oversees Indians can also enter into partnership with five general line universities, two agriculture universities and two central universities and state run ITIs in PPP mode. “There is also tremendous scope for the Indian Diaspora to be partners in the skills development in sectors of electrical and electronics, engineering, construction, travel and tourism, hospitality, food processing, nursing, IT and telecommunication”, he added.
After concluding his speech, the large number of NRIs came up to the dais circled the Chief Minister and interacted with him for about 40 minutes. They lauded Chief Minister’s dynamism and forward looking attitude in developing a modern Jammu and Kashmir with lot of promises for the people especially youth. They promised of visiting Jammu and Kashmir and looking for ventures they can venture upon.