Kathua MSMEs hail Mufti Govt over pro-active steps to develop Ghatti Industrial Estate

Kathua, June 28 (KNN) The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from the Kathua district of Jammu hailed Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s active support to start the stalled work at the Ghatti Industrial Estate which has the potential to generate thousands of jobs and woo investors.

President of Kathua Industrial Units Association, Ajit Bawa, said that the small entrepreneurs in the region have appreciated the initiatives taken by Mufti, Deputy CM Nirmal Kumar Singh and Industries Minister Chander Prakash Ganga for reviving the Ghatti Industrial Estate.

The state government has issued directions to the concerned departments in the area to complete the stalled projects as early as possible.

Talking to KNN, Bawa said, “The development of this area was initiated in the year 2009. Due to slow speed, the industrial estate has not been formed till date. The central government pointed some environmental issues which have been cleared now.”

He continued, “This industrial area should come into existence post which the land will be allotted as soon as possible and the investments can start coming in. The main investors in this area will be from neighbouring states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.”

“We have made a request to the government to improve the infrastructure of this area so that the industrial activities can be initiated as early as possible.

This area is located near the Jammu Highway. Due to the high potential of this area, it will help in employment generation on a large scale,” the President said.

The Kathua District has a great potential for the industrial sector as it is near to both Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. With the completion of this project, a large number of MSMEs will be established in the Estate and will provide employment to the local youths.

He also said that “Mufti is actively participating to support the initiative taken. This area can easily give employment to 25,000 people approximately.”

The industrialist, however, said that if a mother industry is set up in this area, it will not only provide business to other MSMEs, but will also contribute to the economic growth of the state.

The Ghatti Industrial Estate is widespread over an area of 400 acres approximately.

“We need industrialisation in our state to increase employment generation and reduce dependency on government jobs,” Bawa said. (KNN/FA)