SRINAGAR: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir will soon introduce a revised Public Procurement Policy aimed at ensuring greater participation of local enterprises in government contracts, Deputy Chief Minister Surender Kumar Choudhary informed a delegation of the Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) during a meeting at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar.
FCIK-Delegation-with-Deputy-CM-Surinder-Choudhary
The Deputy Chief Minister informed the delegation that the proposal for the revised policy has been submitted to the Finance Department, led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and is under active consideration. He said the government intends to address the exclusion of local industries from government procurement in recent years and to restore opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region.
The meeting also discussed the role of Jammu and Kashmir Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (SICOP) in procurement processes. The government is examining ways to strengthen SICOP and address systemic issues that have affected local businesses.
The FCIK delegation, led by President Shahid Kamili, raised several long-pending issues related to the industrial sector. They also followed up on matters previously discussed with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Vikramjeet Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries; T. Rabi Kumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests; Khalid Jahangir, Secretary, Industries; Mehmood Shah, Managing Director, KPDCL; Khalid Majeed, Director, Industries & Commerce; Pradeep Kumar, Managing Director, SIDCO/SICOP; Massarat Zia, Director, Handicrafts & Handlooms; Abhijeet Joshi, Regional Director, Pollution Control Board; and Manzoor Ahmad, Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister. General Managers from J&K Bank, Ashitosh Sareen and Rajesh Tickoo, along with officers from the Finance Department and other sectors, were also present.
The meeting was informed that the government is working on an industrial policy and that industrial associations, including FCIK, will be part of the drafting committee to ensure representation of industry concerns.
On financial relief, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the Commissioner Secretary to submit proposals for amnesty in lease deed agreements and relaxations for changes in company structures. The Managing Director of KPDCL confirmed that a power amnesty proposal has already been submitted for government review.
The Deputy Chief Minister also assured that issues concerning wood-based units, including license renewal and cluster approvals, will be addressed as per guidelines from the Central Government.
The meeting also discussed banking issues faced by MSMEs. The Deputy Chief Minister asked J&K Bank officials to stop coercive recovery measures until the possibility of revival and rehabilitation of MSMEs is fully examined. He noted that in some cases, recovery actions were taken despite existing pari passu agreements between SIDCO and J&K Bank. He requested the bank to consider introducing a uniform, non-discretionary, and non-discriminatory One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, as demanded by the industrial sector.
On the matter of industrial estate infrastructure, the Deputy Chief Minister assured that concerns raised by estate presidents from various parts of the Valley will be addressed.
The FCIK delegation welcomed the outcome of the meeting and expressed hope that the commitments made would lead to concrete policy changes to support the MSME sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
The FCIK delegation included estate representatives from Lassipora, Anchidora, Baramulla, Bejbehara, Handwara, Khanmoh, Kupwara, Aglar Shopian, Vessu Qazigund, Sopore, Zainakote, JK PICCA, Chatpora Pulwama, Pulwama District, Anantnag District, Kulgam District, Baramulla District, Kupwara District, Tulibal, Raidbugh, Silk Park Zakura, Wuyan, and BAMK.
