Srinagar, Publish Date: Mar 11 2018
To make local micro small medium enterprises (MSME) self-sustained for their development, central government should implement the National Manufacturing Policy in Jammu and Kashmir, recommends PHD Chamber in its newly released report.
The report titled “Kashmir, The Way Forward” was released by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) at a promotional event in New-Delhi on Friday.
According to the report, there is also a need to implement national programme on handicrafts and handlooms in the state as well.
“The National Handicraft Development Program of Development Commissioner Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles GoI should be implemented in the state for socio-economic empowerment of handicraft artisans and carpet weavers by involving stakeholders in State Level Project Committee (SLPC) for recommendations of project proposals for implementation,” the report states.
The report has recommended that mega carpet cluster and media handicraft cluster implemented in the state should be reviewed.
“Skilled human resources and assets created under these two schemes are required to be augmented for strengthening of carpet industry and other handicrafts,” the report states.
The report has recommended that all handloom products be kept out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. “This should be done keeping in view social and unorganised nature of handloom activity in the state. National Handloom Development Program of Textiles Ministry GoI should be implemented for socio-economic empowerment of handloom weavers by involving stakeholders in SLPC for recommendations of project proposals for implementation,” the report states. It also suggests that state government must ensure that benefits if loan sanctioned by World Bank for revival of sericulture and silk industry should reach to sericulture farmers and rellers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPO’s).
The report further says though industrial status has been granted to tourism sector in the state but “incentives and benefits like SSI, MSME units need to be extended to this sector,” the report states.
“Expansion and upgradation of existing tourism units in tune with present market demand with ultra modern services and interior designs should be allowed. There is need of golf courses at par with international standards in all tourist destinations of the Valley especially Sonmarg,” the report states. “The state needs to extend its marketing development incentives and one time incentives to tour operators of Valley,” the report adds.
With regard to general trade especially Fast Moving Consumer Goods ( FMCG), the PHDCCI report suggests that government should encourage establishment of warehouses of major companies selling their products in the state.
“This will generate employment for around 5,000 people. There is also a need of transparent high level project monitoring team to monitor infrastructure projects and make all information accessible online to people,” the report states. It has also suggested that a grievance cell be made operational at the Lower Munda office of the Commercial Taxes Commissioner for redressal of any grievance of local dealers.
The report has also suggested that hydro electric power potential of the state needs to be tapped “for establishment of small and mini hydel power projects to make the state self sufficient in power generation and round the clock power supply for the industry and commercial establishments as well as domestic use.”
