Ziraat Times News Desk
Srinagar: A leadership delegation of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Kashmir Chapter, on Monday presented a detailed set of recommendations to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce, urging reforms to boost trade, industry, investment, and employment in Jammu & Kashmir.
The delegation, led by Chairman A P Vicky Shaw along with Co-Chair Himayu Wani, General Convener Bilal Kawoosa, and Deputy Director Kashmir Iqbal Fayaz Jan, met the Committee chaired by MP Dola Sen. The meeting was part of the Committee’s ongoing visit to the Union Territory and was attended by parliamentarians including Renuka Chowdhury, Awasthi Ramesh, Yusuf Pathan, Shiv Pal Singh Patel, Sadanand Mhalu Shet Tanavade, Santosh Panday, Prasun Banerjee, and Prashant Yadaorao Padole.
During the interaction, PHDCCI emphasised the urgent need to improve J&K’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, calling for confidence-building measures, especially for the tourism sector. The delegation also urged banking institutions to relax lending norms for sectors hit by recent disruptions.
Sen and the Committee members assured industry representatives of their proactive intervention, committing to prepare a detailed note for submission to the Government of India for necessary action.
Key recommendations
Among its major submissions, PHDCCI called for:
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Special Economic Zone for Srinagar to attract investment and promote exports.
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Support for MSMEs, including strict enforcement of the 25% public procurement rule.
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Urgent implementation of the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) to improve investor confidence.
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A mega leather, wool and silk cluster under a PPP model.
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Creation of a dry port and logistics corridor to ensure uninterrupted movement of goods and prevent crises like the recent 18-day highway blockade.
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Relief and loan restructuring package for the distressed tourism sector following the Pahalgam attack.
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Reform in government role, shifting departments from implementing agencies to facilitators and regulators.
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Stakeholder-led management of Industrial Estates through Special Purpose Vehicles.
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Renewal of the central industrial incentive scheme, which expired in September 2024.
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Improved access to credit, with J&K Bank playing a lead role and resolution of adverse CIBIL scores linked to disruptions since 2019.
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Reforms in the real estate sector to unlock growth and employment potential.
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A digital single-window system with legally binding timelines for all approvals.
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An independent Industrial Grievance Redressal Commission to address chronic issues.
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Ready-to-occupy plug-and-play industrial estates with complete infrastructure.
