Srinagar, Mar 31 (KNN) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu and Kashmir has expressed their dissatisfaction over the discrimination in granting permission to function Small Scale Industries (SSI) unit here, amid lockdown, due to COVID-19 pandemic. 

Federation of Industries Jammu (FoIJ) held a meeting, on Tuesday, where the later submitted a list of industries to Director of Industries Jammu, for the permission to run the manufacturing and packaging units under the 'Essential Commodities act' as notified by the central government.  

''We submitted a list Industries for the permission to Director of Industries to operate amid lockdown but unfortunately, the permission was granted to five units of a particular group U Flex whereas not even a single SSI unit were granted permission,''FoIJ said in a statement.

''In respect of plastic bottles units, two units of Saraswati Group included and only two other units in SSI sector included, whereas number of other units working in Gangyal, Bari Brahmana, Samba and Kathua denied permission,'' it added.

The industries body further said that only two units were given permission involve in corrugated box manufacturing, while the others were denied permission. 

FoIJ further highlighted in the meeting the permission was also denied to the units which includes the essential items like Pasteurised Milk, Bread, Rusk, Biscuits etc which is most important essential commodities for the people.

''Despite, the Pharma Ind already submitted the list of their approved vendors from whom they are purchasing the packing materials permission were granted to only two units of Saraswati group,'' FoIJ added.

Later, FOIJ request Governor G,C Murmu, and others officials concerned to constitute a high level committee to look into the matter and sought action against the culprits.