Srinagar, Feb 7: A delegation of PHD Chamber Kashmir, headed by its Chairman Baldev Singh Raina, mentor Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, Jaan Muhammad Kaul, Bilal Ahmad Kawoosa, Shahana Fatima and Regional Manager Iqbal Fayaz Jan had a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
In a statement issued here, PHDCCI spokesperson said that the delegation conveyed to the Governor that ‘it was because of his leadership skills and immense experience J&K had witnessed from past several months the large scale reforms in all sectors of economy towards development of UT of J&K.’
“The delegation extended gratitude for significant initiatives taken by the administration like the announcement of New Industrial Development Scheme, approval of Land Allotment Policy and restoration of 4G Internet services. The delegation appreciated the leadership of Lieutenant Governor and his administration for nurturing the investment climate in UT of J&K and creating favorable ecosystem for employment generation and farmers empowerment”, the statement added.
“The Lieutenant Governor gave the PHDCCI delegation a patient hearing and assured that he would examine the issues presented in memorundum and will address the issues concerned in a time bound manner. He also told the delegation that the 2nd installment of interest subvention will be released before March and the industrial policy will be notified soon and would be applicable from April 2021”, Baldev Singh Raina, chairman PHDCCI Kashmir chapter, told Ziraat Times.
The Lt Governor, while interacting with the members of the delegation, observed that the UT Government is taking reformative measures in all major economic sectors. He assured that the suggestions made by PHDCCI would be looked into meticulously for consideration.
On the occasion, PHDCCI Kashmir chapter presented a memorandum to the Lieutenant Governor which included suggestions as to what the Government could do to mitigate the present crisis of some of Kashmir’s businesses. The suggestions and the summary of the discussions held with the Lieutenant Governor included:
- The release of 2nd installment for interest subvention,
- Extension of filing dates for GST returns and reimbursement claims,
- Complete waive off the Amnesty tax amount of Arrears in the old tax regime (VAT) keeping in view the business losses in 2019 and 2020,
- Time bound Implementation of various decision taken and releif measures announced by the Committee Constituted by LG for Revival of Bussiness Sector in UT of J&K,
- Extension in the lease agreements and resolving the vexed issues of Roshni Land Scheme,
- For nurturing of existing Industrial Sector under the industrial scheme announced it is imperative to provide relaxation in the RBI norms for NPA, restructuring, CIBIL Score and Credit Rating for Kashmir region keeping in view the economic breakdown since 2014 in Kashmir Valley ,
- One time extension for project implementation for Industrial units by 2 years who could not establish their units due to complete lockdown since August 2019 because of Reorganization of J&K followed by Covid 19,
- Change in terms & conditions in recently launched Bussiness Support Loan Scheme 2019-20 for Hotels and Guest Houses by J&K bank,
- Massive marketing of tourism sector at national level, permission for renovation /refurbishing and upgradation of existing hotels,
- Rollback of 9% tax on new vehicles, to control the exorbitant airfare the delegation requested that the Un-served Airports needs to be brought under Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN-RCS),
- It was also requested that the on-grid solar power policy needs to be implemented and eased out in J&K for the installation of solar power projects by domestic, commercial and Industrial consumers,
- As an alternative funding mechanism the J&KDFC,J&KSFC and other National Level NBFC’s , NCDC and other banks was requested to be advised to lend in liberal and hassle free manner with the relaxations in RBI lending guidelines for MSME Sector,
- Implementations of National Handicraft and Handloom Program of Ministry of Textiles GOI for self sustained development of Handicraft and Handloom Sector and it was requested to impress upon the central government for setting up of one of the textile park at Kashmir region as was announced in recent budget,
- Making Inland Container Depot. ICD at Rangreth Srinagar operational and functional,
- It was brought in the notice of LG that In order to make NAFED relevant for increasing farmer’s income it is imperative to intervene by revision in qualification criteria of EOI invited by NAFED,
- The illegal trading of substandard Apples from Iran, China Via Afghanistan and Wagah Boarder which is emerging threat to the apple Industry of Kashmir and Himachal needs to be monitored,
- Promotion and formation of Farmer Producer Organisations in all farming sectors of J&K.
- For the benefit of Sheep Farmers the wool processing unit of JKI at Nowshehra Srinagar was requested to be made functional so that the marketing support for wool is ensured to Sheep Farmers on the pattern of Silk Farmers as provided by JKI,
- Continuation of components on pattern of NE industrial Scheme and Inclusion of entire J&K in Zone B,
- Development of world class tourism infrastructure, revision in srinagar master plan,
- To impress upon the RBI and Banks to allow the forbearance of SMA-0 conditions by allowing the already stressed sector as SMA1 under ECLGS 2.0 for the companies coming under the bracket of 50 to 500 Cr.
- Time Bound Single Window Clearance for all type of Projects, Services and for that that we suggest that all 372 point of Bussiness Reform Action Plan (BRAP) issued by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion GOI should be implemented in J&K on priority so that we will improve our ranking in ease of doing business.
The meeting lasted 50 minutes and ended with positive note and the L.G. was very receptive to the PHDCCI demands, the statement added.