Salman Sagar slams unequal implementation of Rs 28,400 crore NCSS in J&K

Srinagar, Oct 1: MLA Hazratbal, Salman Ali Sagar, has voiced serious concern over what he termed as the “uneven and discriminatory” implementation of the `28,400 crore New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) for industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office bearers of the Chamber of Industrial Entrepreneurs Association (CIEA) Zakura, Sagar revealed that only two out of twenty districts in J&K have received the majority of investment proposals under the scheme. He called this a glaring example of inequitable planning and assured that he would raise the issue in the Legislative Assembly to demand balanced industrial growth across all districts.

A statement of CIEA Zakura said that Sagar, who presided over the ceremony as Chief Guest, also expressed deep concern over the dilapidated internal roads and inadequate infrastructure in the Zakura industrial estate. He pledged to take up the matter with the Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Industries & Commerce portfolio, for immediate road macadamization. If financial constraints are causing delays, Sagar said he would contribute funds from his Constituency Development Fund to ensure the timely completion of the work.

Emphasising the importance of modern infrastructure to boost business confidence, Sagar underscored the key role of local industries in job creation and economic stability. He also criticised the ongoing trend of excluding local manufacturers from public procurement, noting that many government departments have been sourcing goods from outside J&K in recent years. He urged the government to revise its procurement policy to grant purchase and price preference to local industrial units.

The event was attended by leading business figures including Shahid Kamili (President, FCIK), Javid Ahmad Tenga (President, KCCI), former FCIK Presidents Syed Shakeel Qalander and Mohammad Ashraf Mir, and Khair un Nissa Shah (Executive Director, World Trade Center Asia Pacific), who collectively highlighted the challenges faced by local MSMEs and called for stronger collaboration between government and industry associations.

The newly elected CIEA Zakura team, led by President Shabir Ahmad Shah, took oath along with office bearers Zahoor Ahmad Shawl (Vice President), Sehar Mushtaq Shah (General Secretary), Muzamil Hayat Shah (Joint Secretary), Manzoor Ahmad Shahdad (Secretary Finance), Mohammad Usman Shah (Publicity Secretary), and M.D. Reshi (Speaker).

The ceremony was attended by GM DIC Srinagar Hameedah Akhtar, GM SICOP Waseem Ahmad, Assistant Director MSME Suhail Allaqaband, and senior officers from Industries & Commerce Department, SIDCO, SICOP, and Police.

In his concluding address, Shabir Ahmad Shah thanked members for their trust and reaffirmed his team’s commitment to addressing the concerns of entrepreneurs. He appreciated the outgoing team led by Rafique Ahmad Dar for their contributions and thanked the Election Commission for conducting transparent and fair elections.