Committee on Public Undertakings reviews Audit Paras of I&C, JKSIDCO

Srinagar, Aug 26: The Committee on Public Undertakings of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday convened a meeting at the Assembly Complex, Srinagar, to review audit paras pertaining to the Industries & Commerce (JKSIDCO) Department.

The meeting was chaired by Committee Chairman Ali Mohammad Sagar, and attended by members Saifullah Mir, Ali Mohammad Dar, Baldev Raj Sharma, Mir Mohammad Fayaz, Ranbir Singh Pathania, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Showkat Hussain Ganai, Saif Ud Din Bhat and Tanvir Sadiq, said an official statement.

Also present were the Senior Deputy Accountant General, Secretary Industries & Commerce Department, Additional Secretary GAD, Director Handicrafts & Handloom, Director Finance, MD SICOP, DG Finance Expenditure, GM SICOP, MD JKCL, CAO SIDCO/SICOP, Special Secretary Transport Department and other senior officials of the concerned departments.

The Committee held a comprehensive discussion on audit paras 5.3 & 5.4 (2017-18) and 10.3 & 10.4 (2020-21), relating to JKSIDCO.

The members examined issues including low capacity utilization of the cement grinding-cum-packing unit at Samba, blocking of funds and unfruitful expenditure on the failed International Trade Centre (ITC) project at Pampore, grant of interest-free advances to small-scale industrial units, and recovery of GST dues.

At the outset, the Chairman emphasized the need to tap J&K’s industrial potential for revenue generation and employment opportunities, and called for sustainable measures to strengthen industrial units across the Union Territory.

The Committee directed the concerned departments to submit detailed reports on the status of operations and defunct units in J&K. It also stressed on ensuring timely completion of projects such as the ITC, aimed at promoting local artisans and handicrafts.