JAMMU: Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said that it was a great achievement of the State Government to ensure protection of the special position of the State while extending GST to Jammu & Kashmir. She was interacting with members of several industrial and trade bodies after inaugurating the modernised and upgraded Udyog Bhawan here today.
One of the major benefits of the GST has been that it brought the people of the two regions, particularly traders, on the same page during the hectic discussions before its implementation in the State.
Mehbooba Mufti said the State has a specific geographic position which is not so conducive to business activities and as such the people in general and the business community of the State in particular needed to be given some protections and guarantees. She said she was thankful to the Centre that they conceded to the requests and sensitivities of the State Government on the issue and incorporated necessary safeguards in the Presidential Order on the GST.
Chief Minister assured the members of the industry that Government would continue to support them as it feels that local industry is an important source of employment for the youth and it plays a significant role in local economy. She said the State Government would continue to support local industry and extend all incentives and concessions to it in the SGST regime which were in vogue earlier.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the modernized and upgraded Udyog Bhawan at Railhead which has been redone with the use of local art pieces like Khatamband and other woodworks. She also formally unveiled the Data Centre there which would have online stocking of items by the SICOP besides GIS mapping of all the Industrial Estates.
The Data Centre has been set up to put in transparency and accountability in the functioning of various agencies of Industries Department. It would also have an application tracking system by which any industrialist o entrepreneur can access the status of his or her complaint or request anytime. Besides, the Data Centre would also be linked to the Traffic Department for executing e-challans and managing the traffic signalling systems in the Srinagar and Jammu cities.
During the day in Jammu, Chief Minister kick started several key projects in the winter capital here today.
She laid the foundation stone of Jammu campus of Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) at Bari Brahmna Industrial Estate (BBIE). To be built over a cost of Rs. 82.89 crore, the EDI campus would be completed in four years and it would have all the facilities like incubation centres, hostels, libraries and other interactive facilities for young entrepreneurs.
Mehbooba Mufti asked the Director EDI to pace up the work on the campus and also explore the possibilities of setting up such facilities at district levels.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the upgraded infrastructure facilities of SIDCO complex at BBIE, being developed at a cost of Rs. 35.90 crore. It includes improved road connectivity within the Industrial Estate, street lighting, upgraded facilities for unit holders and visitors and other miscellaneous facilities.
Mehbooba Mufti also laid the foundation of factory and showroom of Government Joinery Mills at the BBIE which is expected to be completed by March, 2018. The factory, with latest tools and gadgets, would come up at a cost of Rs. Nine crore whileas the showroom would be completed at a cost of Rs. 2.80 crore.
Chief Minister also laid the foundation of ramp based multi-level car parking facilities at Peerkhu and Panjtithi. Both the parking facilities would be built at a cumulative cost of Rs. 45 crore and would provide multi-level parking facility to around 300 cars and small vehicles.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation of Intelligent Traffic System for Jammu city which would regulate and sensitize traffic movement in the winter capital through an automated system, giving much relief from frequent congestions to the commuters.
