The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Party has hailed Honourable Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s decision to improve the ease of doing business for young entrepreneurs by introducing a series of business friendly measures, including doing away with the need for multiple no objection certificates (NoCs).In a statement issued to KNS, PDP Chief Spokesperson Dr Mehboob Beg said this is a first of its kind decision aimed at alleviating the problems being faced by the youth in the state at large, and the Valley in particular. “The decision taken by the Chief Minister will help address the problems of the unemployed youth. It shows the government is clearly focused on the youth and mitigating their sense of alienation that aggravates with a sense of marginalisation,” Beg underlined.“The government has done away with all the red-tape put in place by the previous National Conference administration,” he said. “The Chief Minister has decided to do away with the cumbersome process of getting NoCs from different departments for setting up a unit and simplifying it with a one-page declaration,” said Beg.There are, however, two departments from where young entrepreneurs will have to get the NoCs - the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board and Electricity Department. “To ensure the step does not become an impediment for those wanting to start businesses in the state, the Chief Minister has said that the NoCs must be given by the Pollution Control Board and Electricity Department within 60 and 30 days, respectively, failing which the NoC would be deemed granted to the applicant,” the PDP leader said.The decision was taken at a high-level meeting on Monday, three days after members of the Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) met CM Mufti with a list of demands to facilitate setting up of business units in the state.“The decision highlights that the PDP government is committed and determined to bring the youth into the mainstream by meaningfully engaging them in constructive activities,” he said.
Beg went on to say that the fact the decision was taken merely three days after the problems were raised before the Chief Minister, shows that the government is working with a sense of urgency in addressing the grievances of the people, especially the youth of the state.“The move will bring major relief for entrepreneurs and the nearly 15 lakh unemployed youths in the state by significantly reducing unemployment and increasing employability,” Beg said.“Another major decision taken at the Monday meeting was to set up a specialised unit of JK Bank at EDI to facilitate the trained entrepreneurs in getting single-window hassle-free credit. Similar special desks and units would be set up at regional and district levels by the JK Bank too. This would facilitate the entrepreneurs in easy getting access to credit without going from one branch to another,” Beg said.In a move that can provide a big boost to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), the Chief Minister directed the Industries Department to take up the issue of vacating the premises meant for the MSME with the security forces.In another significant development, the Chief Minister directed the officials to facilitate cross-LoC trade in the state further and encourage the genuine traders by regular and regulated monitoring and review of trade. “The government is making all efforts to ensure the state prospers and conducive business environment is created,” Beg said. (KNS)