SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) today urged the Government to review current industrial policies to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) index for MSMEs in Jammu and Kashmir.
An FCIK spokesperson said that despite online reforms, cumbersome procedures and excessive documentation have hindered progress. “It leads to delays and frustration among entrepreneurs,” he said.
He said that FCIK highlighted the prolonged processing time for ‘Turnover Incentive’ claims under the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30, suggesting an automatic transfer system similar to the duty drawback scheme for export goods.
“This streamlined approach, utilising existing departmental data, would alleviate the burden of documentation and ensure timely disbursement of incentives,” he said.
Furthermore, FCIK emphasised the need for Chief Secretary intervention to simplify renewal procedures for wood-based units, aligning Union Territory regulations with Central Government policies. The requirement for redundant documentation, such as “consent to establish” and “consent to operate” certificates, creates unnecessary hurdles for businesses.
“By harmonising rules and procedures with national standards, JK can enhance its Ease of Doing Business ranking and foster a more conducive environment for economic growth,” he said.
FCIK has also invited the attention of the Chief Secretary towards the issue of renewal of forest licences of existing wood based units that were being asked to upload “consent to establish” and “consent to operate” certificates from Pollution Control Board besides many other documents with their renewal applications.
“Hundreds of wood based units established decades back were being asked to produce a certificate that is obtained only once in the lifetime of a unit”, regretted FCIK, adding that the rules, norms and procedures in the UT had to be at par with the policies and procedures of the central government as well as other states.
