Rs. 200 crore package for revival of Sick Units in offing: Slathia
Rs. 10.50 cr released for purchase of modern carpet looms
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 03-
Jammu, February 03 (Scoop News) – In a bid to give fresh impetus to the Handicrafts activities in the state, the Centre today released Rs. 10.50 crore for modernization of 2000 traditional carpet looms.
This was stated by the Minister for Industries and Commerce, S.S. Slathia while chairing a high level meeting with the members of the Kashmir Chambers of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) held here today to discuss future strategies for promotion of Trade and Industry in the State.
The KCCI was led by its President, Abdul Hamid Punjabi whereas Commissioner/Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Umang Narula, Managing Director SICOP, R. K. Razdan, Managing Director SIDCO, M. Mauzam, Managing Director JKI, Javed Iqbal, Director Handicrafts Department, Muzaffar Hussain, Director Handloom Development Department, Mrs. Chandra Gupta and other concerned were also present in the meeting.
While responding to the suggestions and pleas of the KCCI members, the Minister said that the State Government will shortly initiate the process to workout modalities for implementation of the revival package for sick industries under PM’s Task Force Programme. He said Centre has already agreed to provide corpus funds of Rs. 100 crs for the purposes whereas state’s matching share will be Rs. 100 crores. “This package will go a long way in giving fresh impetus to the Industrial activities in the state”, Slathia said added that the package shall be implemented through J&K Development Financial Corporation. He asked the concerned officers of the Industries and Commerce department to undertake ground work for implementation of this revival package. He said the Govt. also contemplates a revival package for JK Industries under which some non-profit making units would be revised under Private-Public Partnership (PPP) mode.
The minister assured the members of Trade and Industries that Government is keen to develop a congeal business atmosphere in the state for ensuring speedy economic growth and greater employment generations. Saying that despite limited resources, the Govt. provides better incentives and packages to the trade and Industries, Slathia hoped that the Industrialists would also fulfill obligations to provide jobs to the local youth in their business units on priority. He assured the KCCI every possible support of the Government in its proposed move to organize an International Buyer Seller meet at Srinagar. The Minister informed the members that after strenuous efforts of the Govt. some PSU’s including SICOP, JKI and JK Minerals have been brought back on the rails and are now among few profit earning PSU’s of the state with J&K SICOP registering a record Rs. 700 crore turnover. He said the stipend for Handicrafts trainees have also been enhanced to give boost to Handicrafts sector.
The KCCI members sought remodeling of State’s Industrial Policy with focus on export promotion, creation of economic zone, debt relief, micro-credit policy for artisans and weavers, marketing support etc.