KL Report
Jammu
Asserting that the waging of militancy was against entire nation and J& K was a theatre for enemies to operationalize its designs, Omar Abdullah said, “We have undergone tremendous downward dip in economy, the progress of the state remained stand still, thousands of youth were rendered jobless and trade and industries received series jolt.”
Omar said Kashmiris scarified life and property, thousands of women were widowed and children orphaned and in the run J&K got injured to protect the country. He said this truth needs to be borne in mind when the question of extending support to J&K arises. He strongly advocated recognition of this status of J&K and extending central support to it for development and growth on this ground.
In order to help the state to overcome industrial backwardness and economic shortcomings, Omar said, the central government should announce rail coach factory in the State as it has done for Punjab for the same reason. He was addressing SMEs seminar on ‘Building Capacities for Sustainable Growth’ in J&K organized by ASSOCHAM India on Tuesday.
While emphasizing on transfer of Salal, Dulhasti and Uri power projects to the state, Omar stressed on granting support to the state designed specifically for its specific needs. He said when the entire country was reaping the benefits of liberalization of industrial policy J&K was fighting the militancy war for the country. “The justice demands that we should be compensated and that too substantially for this reason”, he asserted.
“Do not take us at par with other States. We have been on forefront to safeguard the country. We have sacrificed for the nation. Do not place us in the category of hilly States when the question of extending help to Jammu and Kashmir arises”, Omar emphasized.
“I understand that industrialists are business minded and their goal is commercial benefits but showing presence for taking advantage of packages and leaving behind corporate sector social responsibility makes picture grim”, Omar said maintaining that organizing of seminars and functions by the India-Ink in the state time and again during last some years should result in establishing industrial units by big business houses in the State which is not visible so far.
The Chief Minister said that his government has focused on the growth and upliftment of local entrepreneurs and development of Micro Small Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector. “Small unit holders are receiving concentrated attention of the government to help them grow on their own feet and attain new highs in the field. He said total dependence of MSME sector on government procurement and concessions in a way puts hurdles in their growth and development.
Omar Abdullah said industrial unit holders should not entirely depend on these two factors but explore free market for sustainable growth. He ensured full support of the government to local industrialists in this regard.
