JAMMU, Jul 12: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu, has welcomed the convening of the Apex Committee meeting on the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Development Scheme, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, expressing optimism that the decisions taken would provide fresh momentum to industrial growth in the Union Territory.
Addressing a meeting of the office bearers, CCI Jammu President Arun Gupta said the high-level meeting, attended by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjeet Singh, and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, DPIIT and the J&K Administration, reflects the Centre’s commitment towards strengthening industrial development in the region.
Arun Gupta pointed out that the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS), launched with an outlay of Rs 28,400 crore and notified on April 1, 2021, has already been fully exhausted following the registration of 971 industrial units. He urged the Government of India to enhance the package to Rs 75,000 crore, citing the overwhelming response from entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir.
He further said the proposal of the Union Territory Administration to increase the financial package, accommodate nearly 150 additional industrial units, and clear around 570 pending applications that are complete in all respects is a timely and much-needed initiative. He extended the Chamber’s full support to the efforts of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the UT Administration in pursuing the matter with the Centre.
The CCI President emphasized that an early approval would ensure continued incentives for existing and new industrial units until 2037, while generating substantial employment opportunities. He noted that the original policy envisaged industrial investment worth ₹28,400 crore and the creation of nearly three lakh jobs in Jammu and Kashmir.
Arun Gupta said industrialists and business houses awaiting registration under the NCSS had pinned high hopes on the Apex Committee meeting. According to him, a favourable decision on enhancing incentives and accommodating all pending eligible units would boost investor confidence and accelerate the pace of industrialisation in the Union Territory.
He also appealed to the Union Government to safeguard the interests of existing industrial units, stating that their survival would become increasingly difficult without the continuation of Central incentives.
Reiterating the Chamber’s commitment to the region’s economic development, Arun Gupta said CCI Jammu fully supports the initiatives of the UT Administration and the Government of India aimed at making Jammu and Kashmir a preferred investment destination. He urged the Apex Committee to adopt industry-friendly decisions that promote employment generation and sustainable economic growth.
Among those present at the meeting were Senior Vice President Anil Gupta, Junior Vice President Rajeev Gupta, Secretary General Manish Gupta, Secretary Rajesh Gupta and Treasurer Rajesh Gupta.