Srinagar
Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu chaired the meeting of the Administrative Council (AC) at Raj Bhavan Jammu on Friday.
Advisors to the Lt Governor K K Sharma, Farooq Khan, Baseer Khan, Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and other officials were present at the meeting.
The AC deliberated upon the various proposals submitted by Administrative departments for its consideration and approval.
Four sectoral policies for Power, Tourism, Captive Power & AYUSH approved to boost Industrial growth in JK
In a significant decision to boost sector-wise industrial growth in Jammu & Kashmir, the Administrative Council approved the adoption of J&K Tourism Policy-2020, J&K Captive Power, Hydro Power & Renewable Energy Policy-2020, and J&K AYUSH Care Investment Policy-2020 for Jammu & Kashmir.
The Administrative Council decision is in the backdrop of Global Investors Summit scheduled to be held later in the year in J&K to attract investors to make gainful investments in these sectors.
Focusing on investors and current business organisations, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir has announced new policies for facilitating Ease of Doing Business in the region. Out of 14 identified focus sectors for Investors Summit, 13 sector policies are being drafted with an addition of one Umbrella Policy 2020 for MSME, Large and mega units.
These sectoral policies provide for integrated development of various sectors to create business environment thereby attracting investors to make gainful investments in J&K and balanced industrial growth at reduced costs leading to the creation of employment opportunities, income generation and overall economic development.
The Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Policy-2020 aims at making J&K most preferred all-season tourist destination for domestic and foreign tourists in India by 2025, generate employment opportunities for the people, impart training to around 4000 tourist service providers over the next ten years, promote all kind of tourism across the UT, and to promote city-wise events and festivals with a pre-defined calendar and promoting the same at national and international level.
The Jammu & Kashmir Captive Power Policy-2020 shall encourage the investment in establishing of Captive Power Plants in the Union Territory. This will not only enable the industrialists to cater their load demand as and when required but will also enable them to sell surplus power in the grid, adding to the total installed capacity through the captive generation and will further strengthen the process of industrial development.
The move will be a step towards bridging the gap between supply and demand as a march towards supplying 24X7 quality power to industrialists.
The Jammu & Kashmir Hydro Power & Renewable Energy Policy-2020 shall promote the generation of green and clean power in J&K using Hydro and Solar Energy, create conditions conducive to the involvements of the investor in renewable energy projects, enhance the use of solar energy source that assist in mitigating environmental pollution, create an appropriate investment climate that could leverage the Clean Development Mechanism, encourage public-private partnerships and joint ventures to mobilize investments in renewable energy projects, promote investment, employment generation and skill enhancement in the renewable energy sector, creation of environmental consciousness among citizen besides, reduce dependency on fossil fuels for energy security and sustainability.
The Jammu & Kashmir AYUSH Care Investment Policy-2020 aims to realize the obligations of J&K for providing quality AYSUH care services to its citizens within a pluralistic system of Integrative AYUSH Healthcare, so as to ensure availability of Healthcare at the doorsteps of the common masses. It also aims at promoting medicinal plants sector in J&K to conserve, market and process the medicinal plants for establishing herbal industries in J&K.
Earlier, the Administrative Council in its last meeting approved adoption of four sectoral policies for Wool-Processing and Handloom/Handicrafts; Pharmaceutical; Education and Poultry sectors for Jammu & Kashmir.
Administrative Council approves adoption of J&K IT/ITeS Policy-2020
In a significant decision to develop a modern and vibrant ecosystem of Information Technology in the Union Territory, the Administrative Council accorded approval to the adoption of Jammu and Kashmir IT/ITeS Policy-2020.
The Policy provides for creation and up-gradation of IT infrastructure to meet existing and future needs of UT in e-Governance, increase digital literacy among youth thereby enhancing employability, attracting investment in the sector, harnessing the potential of emerging technologies, promoting entrepreneurship, creation of employment opportunities and safer cyberspace for all citizens.
J&K IT/ITeS Policy aims to provide for time-bound approvals and single-window clearances to prospective investors, besides provisioning a host of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to attract investments. It also offers incentives for start-ups and establishment of state of art infrastructure to meet the requirements of IT/ITeS industry.
Through this policy intervention, the Jammu and Kashmir endeavours to establish itself as a valued destination for IT Industry and attract investment in the IT/ITeS sector. It envisions pushing IT as an engine for rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth in the economy of J&K with the active participation of private entities.
AC approves setting up of 4 Fast Track Special Courts
The Administrative Council (AC) accorded sanction to establishment of four Fast Track Special Courts in Jammu & Kashmir for effective implementation of Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2018 by ensuring targeted disposal of pending rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) cases.
Out of the four Courts, two FTSCs, one each in Jammu and Srinagar shall exclusively be meant for the trial of cases registered under the POCSO Act. Other two, at Kulgam and Reasi shall deal with cases involving offences against women including rape.
The AC also approved the establishment of Office of Special Public Prosecutors along with other staff, for the two Fast Track Courts that shall be set up at Jammu and Srinagar exclusively for POCSO cases.
