FOIJ demands land development before collection of land premium on allotted industrial units in J&K

Jammu, Feb 25 (KNN) The Federation of Industries, Jammu (FOIJ) has urged the government to first create requisite infrastructure in the undeveloped land and then issue necessary directions for the allotment of development land to the prospective investors for J&K SIDCO/ SICOP to collect land premium, lease rent and maintenance charges.

Highlighting this issue, Lalit Mahajan, Co-Chairman, FOIJ said, “It is a matter of great concern that J&K SIDCO and SICOP already started the process for the allotment of land in the Industrial areas as notified “UNDEVELOPED” and issued the Land Allotment Orders by demanding the full premium along with three year lease rent and maintenance charges with the directions to deposit the same within 60 days to avoid the cancellation of Land Allotment Letter.”

“Despite of the land having no basic infrastructure like roads/power supply the rent is being charged and moreover no tentative schedule is being given for the handing over of the developed land for the setting up of industrial units which will result in delay for the investors,” pointed out Mahajan.

The Industries Department has given three years’ time for setting up the industrial units to avoid the cancellation of allotted Industrial Land but J & K SIDCO/SICOP is offering the “UNDEVELOPED” land to prospective investors without any infrastructure due to which it is not possible for the units to start the production within the time frame given by the Industries Department, said FOIJ.

Earlier the body had urged the state government to allot industrial lands on first-come-first basis and develop the land first in a time bound manner.

The grant of Rs 28,400 crore was enhanced to Rs 50,000 crore on the basis of which prospective investors from within/outside the UT applied for the allotment of land in the proposed Industrial Estates as notified by the Industries Department in the JKINVEST Portal. (KNN Bureau)