Central Govt to consider purchase preference demand of MSMEs in J&K

Srinagar, Apr 4 (KNN) The central government is looking into the ‘purchase preference’ suggestion for MSME units made by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

He told ET that the suggestion of ‘purchase preference’ could be considered at the local level in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) as a ‘special case’ considering the geographical location of this region.

The small and medium industries in J&K have sought for purchase preference at department level, arguing that dependence on GEM only will get the MSME units closed.

JCCI told ET that it has urged the administration to give purchase preference to local industrial units in J&K.

Arun Gupta, President of the Chamber said that they cannot compete in the government's e marketplace known as the GEM portal. 

Demanding hand holding from the administration, JCCI’s president said, otherwise they would end up shutting operations that would further add to the worsening unemployment figures in the region.

“Local units cannot compete on the terms and conditions of the GEM portal. Administration should give purchase preference at department level here, if they cannot give price preference. This would be helpful for the local businesses to survive. If they depend on GEM only, MSME units will get closed,” Gupta told ET.

The JCCI president claimed that 40 per cent of the small and medium scale industries in the industrial estates of Jammu are shut.

“Those operating right now are suffering. They will get closed if the government doesn't give incentives,” Gupta told ET.  (KNN Bureau)