Jammu MSMEs upset over denial of ownership rights to industrialists for sheds

Jammu, Mar 22 (KNN) The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu with upset with the government over non-availability of power supply to the industries, denial of ownership rights to the industrialists, shabby condition of the industrial area managed by Directorate of Industries and other issues related to the industrial policy.

In this regard, the Small Scale Industries Association (SSIA) in Digiana, Jammu called an urgent meeting on Monday to discuss over the issues.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Jatinder Aul, President, SSIA.

“As per the government directives, the power supply to the industrial areas should be supplied through dedicated industrial feeders but the step motherly treatment is being given to the industrial estate of Digiana as the power is still being supplied from the domestic feeders with frequent power breakdowns,” SSIA said.

The industry association has urged the government to set up Small Grid Station in Digiana stating that it is their pending request since last five years.

The MSMEs also highlighted the issue of non-availability of D.G. set subsidy to the units set up prior to the announcement of the industrial incentive by the government.

“The incentive is available to the new units set up to overcome from the problem of frequent power supply. Whereas the units located in Digiana Industrial Estate are old and the worst sufferers due to frequent breakdown in power supply. Denial of DG set subsidies to existing units is unjustified,” said SSIA.

Further, SSIA pointed that the sheds were presented to the entrepreneurs, back in 1959, with an understanding that the ownership rights of the sheds shall be given to the unit holders on Hire Purchase basis after the production starts. But, SSIA said that till date no such order has been issued by the government despite repeated requests.

“The estate was handed over to Directorate of Industries and now in the new industrial policy 2016, it has been handed over to SICOP for the reasons best known to them,” said SSIA terming this as “Betrayal by the government with the sons of the soil.”

Further, SSIA also highlighted the “shabby” condition due to poor infrastructure and road conditions.

The Digiana industries have sought intervention from the Governor of J&K in the matter and take necessary steps to resolve them. (KNN Bureau)