Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today asked for timely completion of the Ghatti Industrial Estate in district Kathua, maintaining that the Government is committed to catalyze the industrial growth in the state.The Chief Minister was speaking at a review meeting convened here today to discuss the status of Ghatti Industrial Estate initially conceived in 2009 with an estimated cost of Rs 81.15 crore.The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chandar Parkash Ganga, Financial Commissioner Planning & Development, Mr B B Vyas, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr Navin Kumar Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr Shailendra Kumar, Commissioner PDD, Mr Deeraj Gupta and other senior officers were present in the meeting.The Chief Minister asked the officers to synergize their efforts so that the industrial estate can be completed in all respects as it very essential to accelerate the industrial activities in the district, besides also encouraging the prospective entrepreneurs of the area. She said that we would be creating an asset which would in turn ensure the development of the industries in the district, besides also creating much needed job opportunities for the youth and skilled people.The Chief Minister was informed that the Ghatti industrial estate conceived with an estimated cost of Rs 81.15 crore in 2009 has undergone a cost escalation to the tune of Rs 365.80 crore, out of which Rs 138.43 crore is the escalation in the original DPR, Rs 66.37 crore is that of environment, social responsibility component whereas Rs 161 crore pertains to works related to power transmission, grid station and electric sub-stations.
The Chief Minister directed the FC Planning to devise ways and means of making the estate sustainable by getting the requisite funds so that it can be completed in all respects within shortest possible time.Ms Mehbooba also asked the Commissioner PDD to address the issues related to the power infra so that the prospective industrialists can be roped in and the industrial scenario gets the requisite push. She said this would also spread the message about the viability of this estate as well.It was decided that Rs 150 crore would be given to the estate out of the Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Package to augment and restore the electric infra and carry out other necessary works.The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the importance of the estate in the industrial scenario of the district and the State as well. He said that we would be creating an asset for the industry which would in turn ensure the promotion of the entrepreneurship and also provide skilled and non-skilled employment to our people and youth.He said that the Kathua district would get benefited from this initiative and it would also bring the area in the industrial map of the country.