J&K MSMEs seek state govt’s intervention to push long stalled projects, speed up clearances

Jammu, Mar 6 (KNN) The Jammu micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are concerned over non-clearance of files of industrial sector by the SIDCO, SICOP, Directorate of Industries Jammu/Kashmir and District Industries Centre across the State.

The Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ) held a meeting in this regard under the Chairmanship of Lalit Mahajan of FOIJ.

“Members present in the meeting raised serious concern in respect of non-clearance of files of Industrial Sector by the SIDCO, SICOP, Directorate of Industries Jammu/Kashmir and General Manager District Industries Centre across the State awaiting the clearance of Guidelines by the Finance Department which is lying since ending December 2016 for the reason best known to the concerned Officials,” said Mahajan.

He pointed that the Industrial Policy 2004 expired in 2014 and was subsequently extended and New Industrial Policy 2016 was announced in the month of March 2016 after a gap of two years with the efforts of the State Industries Minister.

“After going through the New Industrial Policy 2016, Federation of Industries Jammu/Kashmir noticed some lacuna in the Policy Guidelines which will create hurdles in the Industrial Growth in our State and submitted their requests to the Industries Minister,” he added.

FOIJ had suggested some modification/amendments in the Guidelines and accordingly a proposal was submitted to the Finance Department by the Industries Department in December 2016.

“Till date nothing has been done resulting considerable delay in the implementation of the Policy,” Mahajan said.

FOIJ also mentioned that the Chief Minister in February discussed issues related to the progress in the industrialization in the State at the 6th Industrial Advisory Meeting.

During the meeting it was highlighted that projects worth Rs 2500 crores were cleared by the Industries Department in last two years.

“But on ground little progress is noticed by us due to  cumbersome procedures adopted by the Departments related to the Industrial sector which may be resulting in to the overshooting of Project Cost clubbing with  the uncertainty of Incentives under the GST Regime to the Industrial Sector of J&K  and we fear that the investment projected may be withdrawn by the prospective Unit Holders,” Mahajan said.

Members present in the meeting also raised the serious concern in respect of non-release of pending payments of sanctioned claim amount of Rs.60 crores by the JKDFC in respect of Capital Investment Subsidy, Interest Subsidy etc sanctioned since 2015 onward.

The MSMEs in the state have sought attention in respect of sanction and release of Fresh Power Connections by the Designated Committee.

“It takes months to get the sanction and in some cases the release of sanctioned Power Connections are pending since last one year,” Mahajan said.

The industry has sought immediate intervention of the state ministers to address their issues. (KNN Bureau)