FCIK submits policy memorandum seeking reforms in J&K’s revised industrial policy

Ziraat Times News Desk

Srinagar, Aug 6: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) on Thursday submitted a comprehensive 17-page Executive Policy Memorandum to the government, proposing a wide-ranging institutional and policy framework to strengthen ease of doing business and support industrial growth in Jammu & Kashmir.

The memorandum was presented during the second and final round of stakeholder consultations on the proposed Revised Industrial Policy at the TRC Conference Hall in Srinagar.

An FCIK delegation led by president Shahid Kamili submitted the document to the government-appointed Drafting Committee headed by Shailender Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary), Finance Department.

The meeting was also attended by Vikramjeet Singh, Commissioner/Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department, and Amitava Chatterjee, Managing Director and CEO of J&K Bank, along with senior officials of the Industries & Commerce Department, District Industries Centres, public sector undertakings, and representatives of trade and business organisations.

According to FCIK, the memorandum consolidates its earlier submissions and incorporates additional recommendations emerging from consultations with industrial associations and other stakeholders. It aims to provide a practical roadmap for creating a competitive, investment-friendly and employment-oriented industrial ecosystem in the Union Territory.

During the deliberations, the FCIK delegation highlighted concerns facing the industrial and MSME sectors and presented recommendations on the institutional framework for ease of doing business and industrial development.

Among its key proposals are a statutory and technology-driven ease of doing business framework, restoration and strengthening of District Industries Centres, a unified industrial policy covering existing, revived, expanding and new industrial units, a revival and rehabilitation package for stressed MSMEs, parity with incentives available under the New Central Sector Scheme, and long-term policy stability to boost investor confidence.

FCIK also recommended reforms in public procurement, including reviving SICOP as a nodal procurement and marketing agency, introducing purchase preference for local manufacturers, strengthening participation of local enterprises on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), making e-tendering more MSME-friendly, separating supply contracts from works contracts, and removing restrictive tender conditions affecting local industries.

The industry body further sought measures to strengthen industrial infrastructure, improve access to institutional credit, rationalise statutory charges, ensure timely payments to MSMEs, promote employment-linked and green industrialisation, and introduce sector-specific policies for wood-based, mineral-based, agro and horticulture processing, food processing, poultry, printing and packaging, handicrafts and other resource-based industries.

It also called for strengthening institutions such as SIDCO, SICOP, District Industries Centres and the MSME Facilitation Council, besides establishing robust monitoring and grievance redressal mechanisms for effective implementation of the revised policy.

During the meeting, Shailender Kumar appreciated FCIK’s detailed submissions and held discussions on issues relating to ease of doing business, revival of existing industries, public procurement reforms, institutional strengthening, fiscal support and credit flow to MSMEs.

The Drafting Committee assured participants that all suggestions received from industry and other stakeholders would be examined objectively before finalising the Revised Industrial Policy. Kumar said the committee would endeavour to complete the drafting process and submit the policy to the government for consideration at the earliest.