Srinagar, May 24 (Scoop News) –Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday underscored the need for universalizing industrial development in the State utilizing the feasibility and potential of different regions for different industries.
“In order to give considerable boost to the economy and seek holistic welfare of all areas of the State, the focussed attention on the development and growth of local raw material based industry in consonance with the feasibility and potential of the area is of significant importance”, he said and emphasized the need for providing necessary boost to world famous State Handicrafts.
Speaking at the occasion of receiving a cheque of Rs. one crore from Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia as dividend to J&K Government out of the profit of JK Cements Limited achieved in 2011-12, the Chief Minister said that local entrepreneurs should be facilitated and encouraged to launch ventures in MSME sector which possess great potential to grow in the State.
“We have greater scope in Micro Small and Medium Entrepreneurship field and youth of the State are talented enough to make necessary dent and prove their mettle in this field”, he said that proper awareness and necessary help to them should be underlined as primary concern. He asked the Industries Department to encourage the young entrepreneurs and make the process of launching small industrial units hassle free.
The Chief Minister appreciated the work done and functioning of J&K Cements Limited for registering highest ever turnover and earning handsome profit during the last year. He expressed the hope that the JKCL would continue to move forward on the road to progress and development.
The Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister of State for Industries, Manohar Lal Sharma, Principal Secretary Finance, Iqbal Khandey, Commissioner Secretary Industries, Shant Manu, Managing Director JKCL, R. K. Razdan and other officers were present on the occasion.
Giving brief about the functioning of JKCL, Slathia said that the company has earned a net profit of Rs. 4.3 crores last year and the target for this has been fixed to Rs. 7 crores. “We expect a turnover of Rs. 180 crores in 2012-13 as against Rs. 120.50 crore registered in 2011-12 and Rs. 81.87 crore in 2010-11”, he explained and said that JKCL is expected to pay dividend worth Rs. 3 crores to the Government next year.
The Industries Minister said that JKCL has targeted to produce 2.66 lakh tonnes of cement in the current financial year as against 1.77 lakh tonnes in 2011-12 and 1.37 lakh tonnes in 2010-11. The company sold 1.77 lakh tonnes of cement last year. He said the old cement plant is being upgraded at a cost of Rs. 4 crores adding that 300 ton per day capacity clinker grinding-cum-packing plant at Samba- Jammu is being constructing at a cost of Rs. 26.96 crores.
He said JKI is being revived and brought on path of development and profit. He said silk showroom of Kashmir famous Silk items is being shortly opened at the Silk Factory, Rajbagh. “We are concentrating on rejuvenating the glory of Kashmir Silk”, he said and detailed measures taken by his Ministry in this regard.
Appreciating the endeavours of Industries Minister, S. S. Slathia in reviving sick industrial units in the Government sector in the State during last three years, the Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather said that the Industries Minister has showed the way to other corporations to flourish and come out of the red.
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