SRINAGAR: A delegation from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) met with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry in Srinagar yesterday. The meeting was chaired by T Shiva and attended by senior government officials including J&K Chief Secretary Dr Arun Kumar Mehta.
The KCCI team, comprising office bearers like Senior Vice President Ashaq Hussain Shangloo, Secretary General Faiz Bakshi, and Executive Committee Member Touseef Ahmad, presented a detailed representation highlighting the challenges faced by industries in J&K. They also put forth recommendations to boost industrial development in the region.
Infrastructure bottlenecks, stringent land allotment criteria, tough geographical conditions, multiple industrial policies causing confusion, lack of skilled labour, and inadequate access to finance were identified as some of the key impediments to industrial growth.
The KCCI called for developing robust industrial estates with power, water, and road connectivity prior to allotting land. It urged extending the timeline for making allotted units operational from 3 to 5 years considering the time required for clearances and loans.
To address the skill shortage, the KCCI advised setting up industry-specific skill centres within industrial clusters. It also batted for sector-specific incentives instead of a one-size-fits-all policy to boost niche sectors like floriculture and lavender farming.
Seeking a boost for local manufacturing, the KCCI recommended identifying products procured by government departments that can be reserved for local companies.
For the IT sector, recommendations included improving infrastructure, skill development programs, attracting investments through incentives, streamlining regulations and enhancing cyber security.
The KCCI team expressed gratitude to the Parliamentary Committee for this opportunity and hoped the recommendations would catalyze industrial development in J&K. The meeting is seen as a positive step towards formulating policies and incentives to harness the region’s immense potential.
