FCIK calls for strengthening, revamping of I&C Deptt for robust industrial growth

Srinagar, Dec 22: In a bid to bolster industrial growth and development, the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir, has called upon Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to spearhead a comprehensive overhaul, strengthening of the Industries and Commerce Department.

The apex industrial body has emphasised the critical role of the department as a key facilitator, sponsor, promoter, and collaborator, aligning its functions with the overarching vision, mission, and core values of a substantial program geared towards catalyzing industrial progress in the region.

A statement said that a formal meeting of the FCIK delegation led by President Shahid Kamili was held with the Chief Secretary at the civil secretariat Srinagar on Friday. The FCIK delegation included advisory/administrative Council members and Presidents of 20 industrial estates from across the Kashmir region. Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, Additional Secretary I&C and Special Secretary to Chief Secretary were also present in the meeting.

While making a presentation on the status of the existing industry, FCIK regretted that over the past many years the various wings of the department instead of handholding the existing and prospective enterprises were acting more as regulators than facilitators.

"The shortage of staff at all levels of the hierarchy had aggravated the situation as most of the times, as important as General Manager DIC’s positions were assigned to some other officers as additional assignments."

FCIK demanded that not only the vacant positions in all departments and PSUs related to industry needed to be filled but more importantly officers posted here must have the vision and dynamism required for running a promotional department.

While demanding reframing of single composite and comprehensive industrial policy with simplified guidelines, FCIK informed that a lot of confusion had been created amoung both the officers and entrepreneurs owing to three different policies currently applicable for different sets of industrial units. The composite policy so demanded should uniformly be applied to old and new enterprises and take care of genuine amendments aspired by industry.

FCIK made a sound case for providing of due share to the local enterprises from public procurements which had been denied to them for the past many years. The Chief Secretary’s attention was drawn towards the Central Government’s Public Procurement Policy, applicable in J&K as well, which provided for reservation of 25% of goods procured by the government for MSMEs besides reserving 358 items for exclusive procurement through MSEs and sought his intervention in implementing the guidelines by respective departments.

While opposing the idea of merging SICOP and SIDCO with single Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), FCIK said that both these corporations had been incepted with different objectives which were crucial for the industry.  As such both corporations needed to be reinforced afresh with new vigour and renewed programmes to support MSMES, particularly in the marketing of their products.

FCIK submitted a comprehensive document to the Chief Secretary with the charter of demands which include issues of delayed payments, revival and up-scaling of existing industry, resolving NPA issues, grant of amnesty and one-time relaxation of rules.

Responding to the demands of FCIK, the Chief Secretary assured that all their genuine grievances shall be addressed in a time-bound manner, the statement said.