Jammu, May 6 (KNN) The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu have urged Lt. Governor G C Murmu to provide immediate relief to the industrial sector of Jammu and Kashmir to help them tide over the crisis due to lockdown.

In this regard, Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ) has sought Governor's attention towards the plight of industrial units of J&K who are dependent on the sale of their products within the state.

''Industries are suffering very badly since March 25th due to the lockdown. It has resulted into sharp decline in the sales turnover of the last financial year. Also the unit holders are now not in a position to pay the salaries and wages to their staffs for the month of April 2020 or even pay the Bank Interest, Power dues and other dues,'' said FOIJ in a statement.

''Keeping in mind all the facts in post COVID-19 situation, a task force has been constituted by the government to provide immediate relief to the industrial sector, tourism, hotel industry, hospitality sector etc with the timeline for the submission of recommendations by May 15th,'' the statement added.

FOIJ also suggested some measures like immediate release of funds for the payment of wages and salary of the workers and staffs of the units for the Month of April and May 2020 or till the lockdown period.

The industry body urged the Governor to waive off demand charges/fixed charges and electricity duty for the month of April and May 2020 or till the lockdown period with the direction to defer the payment actual power consumption Bills for the month of March, April, May 2020 or till the resumption of normal activities after the lockdown in monthly instalments without any surcharge.

FOIJ asked for deferment of the purchases through GeM Portal till 31-03-2022 to provide the relief to thousands of Micro Small-Scale units dependent on the government supplies due to limited marketing avenue within the state and other related factors.

It said there should be reimbursement of 2 to 5% as turnover incentive to the units selling their products within the state of J&K on the existing pattern as already given to the units for the interstate sale.

The industry representatives sought reimbursement of road freight on the incoming raw materials from outside the state to those units who are selling their products within the state to compensate the impact of stiff competition from outside the state after the removal of toll tax on the incoming raw materials.

FOUJ said there should be freight charge reimbursement on finished goods as marketing incentive to encourage the interstate sale up to destination instead of rider of above 1000 km. (KNN Bureau)