Jammu, Mar 12 (KNN) The Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA) has raised serious concerns over a recent move by the Industries Department to evict non-functional permanent registered units if they fail to reactivate/revive their operations within 10 days.

In an urgent meeting presided over by BBIA President Lalit Mahajan, members expressed resentment over the list of units proposed for eviction, stating it contained inaccuracies.

Many units had allegedly already been de-registered, changed activity with department approval, or were incorrectly marked non-functional despite being operational, the association highlighted in a press release.

“The list is not correct. Many units followed due process with the department for de-registration or line changes. Declaring operational units as non-functional is completely unjustified," said Viraaj Malhotra, General Secretary, BBIA.

The association highlighted that the J&K Industrial Policy 2016 provides an exit route under clause 18.2 for sick units that have exhausted all revival and rehabilitation options. This allows transfer of ownership/leasehold rights to another entrepreneur after clearing liabilities.

BBIA also argued that as per lease deeds executed with SIDCO/SICOP, unit holders have been granted leasehold rights for a period during which they continue paying dues. They argued threatening eviction despite such a policy provision may lead to litigation.

While BBIA appreciated efforts to develop new estates and allot land under the Centre's incentive package, it urged the authorities to reconsider the proposed eviction move for units closed due to circumstances like unviability or sickness.

“We urge intervention to provide relief by allowing transfer of leasehold rights as per the policy's exit route instead of disrupting the operations of sick units,” said Rajesh Jain, Secretary, BBIA.

The association emphasised the need for a supportive stance towards the revival of such units owned by locals.

(KNN Bureau)