KCCI calls for innovative approach to Kashmir's industrial growth

Srinagar, Nov 4: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has presented a plan to the Departmental Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, advocating an innovative approach to uplift the industrial sector in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a meeting chaired by T.Shiva, the KCCI team, led by Senior Vice President Ashaq Hussain Shangloo, presented their recommendations for revitalising the J&K's industrial landscape.

The KCCI delegation included prominent members like Faiz Bakshi, Secretary General, Umar Nazir Tibetbaqal, Joint Secretary General, Dr. Touseef Ahmad, Executive Committee Member, and Bilal Ahmad Bhat. The meeting was attended by key government officials, including Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Commissioner/Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjit Singh, Director Industries Mehmood Shah, and Joint Director MSME, along with other senior officials.

During the two-and-a-half-hour meeting, the KCCI shared their perspective on the state of the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the need for a more robust and diversified industrial base in the region. They pointed out that while the region boasts unparalleled natural resources and landscapes, it has struggled to establish a potent industrial presence.

In their presentation, the KCCI highlighted some key challenges and proposed solutions:

They suggested that industrial estates be developed before land is allotted to ensure better infrastructure.

The KCCI recommended extending the time for commencing operations of industrial units from 3 to 5 years to allow for more flexibility. The committee urged the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and clearances within fixed deadlines to expedite the setup of industries.

The erroneous ranking policy, which links land allotment to employability, should be revised to better incentivise industrial growth.

The KCCI also drew attention to the region's unique challenges, including its adverse geographical location, challenging terrain, inclement weather conditions, limited working season, and unreliable transportation infrastructure, which result in increased costs and reduced profitability.

One of the key points made by the KCCI was the need for a differentiated approach for incentivising industrial development in far-flung and remote areas of the Kashmir Valley, suggesting that a one-size-fits-all zoning policy may not be suitable for the region.

Furthermore, the KCCI raised concerns about the frequent changes in industrial policies, rules, regulations, and incentive schemes, which have caused confusion and hardships for entrepreneurs. They noted that marketing support, price/purchase preferences, and tax exemptions were withdrawn from the 2016-26 Policy, and existing MSMEs were excluded from the purview of the Central Scheme for Industrial Development.

The KCCI's presentation at the parliamentary committee meeting aimed to provide a path-breaking approach to address these challenges and stimulate industrial growth in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. They expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the committee and their hope that this meeting would be a significant step in this direction.