SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government to introduce a comprehensive and stable industrial policy aimed at improving ease of doing business, reviving stressed MSMEs and creating a more competitive and investment-friendly industrial ecosystem in the Union Territory.
FCIK submitted a 17-page Executive Policy Memorandum to the Government during the second and final round of stakeholder consultations on the proposed Institutional Framework for Effective Ease of Doing Business and the Revised Industrial Policy.
The memorandum was submitted by an FCIK delegation led by Shahid Kamili to the Drafting Committee headed by Shailender Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department, at the TRC Conference Hall in Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by Vikramjeet Singh, Commissioner/Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, and Amitava Chatterjee, Managing Director and CEO of J&K Bank, who are members of the Drafting Committee. Senior officers of the Industries and Commerce Department, its public sector undertakings, District Industries Centres and representatives of trade and business organisations also participated in the consultations.
FCIK said the memorandum consolidates its earlier submissions as well as additional recommendations emerging from consultations with industrial associations and stakeholders. It seeks to provide a practical blueprint for the revised policy, covering both the institutional framework for ease of doing business and measures required to strengthen the industrial and MSME ecosystem.
A key recommendation is the creation of a statutory and technology-driven ease of doing business framework, alongside restoration and strengthening of District Industries Centres.
FCIK has also called for a single integrated industrial policy covering existing, revived, expanding and new industrial units, arguing that a uniform framework would provide greater policy clarity and stability to industry.
For stressed MSMEs, the federation has sought a comprehensive revival and rehabilitation package. It has also advocated broad parity with the incentive architecture available under the New Central Sector Scheme and called for long-term policy stability to restore investor confidence.
Public procurement reforms constitute another major component of the memorandum. FCIK has proposed reviving SICOP as the nodal procurement and marketing agency on the lines of the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), besides introducing purchase preference for local manufacturing enterprises.
The federation has sought greater participation of local manufacturers on the GeM portal and MSME-friendly e-tendering procedures. It has also called for segregation of supply contracts from works contracts and removal of restrictive tender conditions that, it said, impede participation by local manufacturers.
On industrial competitiveness, FCIK has recommended strengthening industrial infrastructure, improving institutional credit flow, rationalising statutory charges and ensuring timely payments to MSMEs.
The federation has also proposed employment-linked and green industrialisation measures and dedicated sector-specific policies for wood-based and mineral-based industries, agro and horticulture processing, food processing, poultry, printing and packaging, handicrafts and other resource-based sectors.
FCIK has further sought strengthening of institutions including SIDCO, SICOP, District Industries Centres and the MSME Facilitation Council, along with stronger monitoring and grievance-redressal mechanisms to ensure effective implementation of the revised policy.
During the deliberations, FCIK representatives presented the concerns and expectations of the industrial sector and held detailed discussions with the Drafting Committee on issues affecting industries and MSMEs in J&K.
Shailender Kumar appreciated the comprehensive submissions made by FCIK and discussed several of the key issues raised in the memorandum, including ease of doing business, revival of existing industries, public procurement, institutional strengthening, fiscal support and credit flow to MSMEs.
The committee acknowledged the contribution of industry stakeholders to the policy formulation process and assured participants that the suggestions received would be examined objectively while finalising the Revised Industrial Policy.
Kumar said the Drafting Committee would endeavour to complete the exercise and place the draft policy before the Government at the earliest for consideration and approval.
