New Delhi, Dec 10 (KNN) Federation of Industries, Jammu (FOIJ) has presented a ‘Pre-Budget Memorandum’ to Advisor to Governor, K.K. Sharma addressing various concerns and issues of MSMEs in the state and suggesting necessary measures to overcome these challenges.

Submitting the pre-budget memorandum, a delegation led by Chairman, Lalit Mahajan, FOIJ demanded exemption of toll tax for industrial sector of Jammu & Kashmir.

Casting the light on various issues faced by MSMEs, delegation said “Present state fiscal incentives are not adequate as compare to pre GST regime for MSMEs in the state, having sale up to 05 Crores.”

Besides, the association asked for various sops for the upliftment of industries in Jammu & Kashmir that includes freight subsidy up to destination, one time opportunity to file GST refund claims against SRO No.-519/521 & 63, extension of power amnesty scheme (Govt. Order No. 273-FD of 2018 dated 05-06-2018).

Further, the association requested the Advisor to the Governor for the enhancement of toll tax on the import of packaging material from outside the state and ban/enhancement of toll Tax on the export of raw material/ scrap meant for MSME Units available in the state.

The other issues discussed during the meeting included denial of budgetary support to industrial units engaged in the roasting of groundnuts/cashew & decoration of walnut/almond by state tax department, Jammu, denial of budgetary support to industrial units engaged in the manufacturing of cement bricks & cement tiles.

The delegation also discussed employment clause for the reimbursement incentives of state budgetary support to industrial units of J&K and issuance of procedure /guidelines for the self-certification mechanism for annual assessment of raw material/ finished goods for toll tax exemption.

For the grant of fiscal incentives, FOIJ demanded removal of items from the negative list for the industries in J&K.

With high hopes, the delegation also asked for relaxation in the validity of e-way bill for intra state movement of industrial goods.

Also, they requested the concerned person for the removal of toll tax on raw materials of exportable items to outside the country.

With regard to the above mentioned demands and issues K.K. Sharma has assured the delegation to resolve the issues on priority basis.