Srinagar, Jan 11: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has urged for abolition of agro-wood based industry from “license system” in order to foster growth and development of this vital activity.
In a statement to Ziraat Times, the apex industrial chamber, while terming the License system as an unfavourable system for wood based enterprises of J&K, has demanded for its banishment and adoption of a progressive and liberalized system for fostering more sustainable development of this sector.
FCIK has also sought support of the Financial Commissioner, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Dheeraj Gupta in early removal of anomalies in the guidelines issued under SRO 321 of 2022 which are seen in contradiction with the guidelines issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) under S.O 3000 (E) at many places.
“Notwithstanding the fact that GOI was contemplating to further amend their guidelines in order to promote sustainable development of wood-based industries in the country to its potential on the persistent demand from business chambers across the country, including FCIK, J&K’s rules were not enabling the entrepreneurs”, regretted FCIK.
While acknowledging the difficulties faced by wood-based industry, the President FCIK Shahid Kamili intimated to the concerned that FCIK was vigorously following the issue for a meaningful resolution and in this regard has held two formal meetings with Financial Commissioner and other top authorities of forest department in recent months.
“Whereas many decisions to remove anomalies in the guidelines and easing out the renewal of license mechanism were taken in a meeting of 21st October, 2023, the formal orders were still awaited despite the record note of minutes having been issued on 13th of November”, informed the President.
He said that the matter was again taken up with Financial Commissioner with a fresh reminder and it was expected that formal orders would be issued at the earliest as per the verbal assurances given by him.
According to FCIK, the issues resolved in previous meetings, but awaiting formal orders, included removal of anomalies in exempted list of industries, approval of clusters of 5 or more units at par with industrial estates, introduction of auto renewal mechanism for licenses after self-attested declarations and making licenses transferable upon sale, succession or change of constitution of the unit.
