Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today said that it was a great achievement of the State Government to ensure protection of the special position of the State while extending GST to Jammu & Kashmir.Interacting with members of several industrial and trade bodies after inaugurating the modernised and upgraded Udyog Bhawan here today, the Chief Minister said one of the major benefits of the GST has been that it brought the people of the two regions, particularly traders, on the same page during the hectic discussions before its implementation in the State.Mehbooba Mufti said the State has a specific geographic position which is not so conducive to business activities and as such the people in general and the business community of the State in particular needed to be given some protections and guarantees. She said she was thankful to the Centre that they conceded to the requests and sensitivities of the State Government on the issue and incorporated necessary safeguards in the Presidential Order on the GST.
The Chief Minister assured the members of the industry that Government would continue to support them as it feels that local industry is an important source of employment for the youth and it plays a significant role in local economy. She said the State Government would continue to support local industry and extend all incentives and concessions to it in the SGST regime which were in vogue earlier.Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh in his intervention said the Government is keen to develop local industry in the State. He said a dedicated system of power distribution is being put in place to ensure round the clock electricity to the Industrial Estates in the State. He sought cooperation from the members of State’s industry in its efforts to protect and promote local industry in the State.Minister for Industries & Commerce, Chander Parkash Ganga in his address said the Government under the instructions and continued guidance of the Chief Minister is determined to turnaround many of the sick units like Joinery Mills, Silk and Woolen Mills to make them profitable ventures. He said the infrastructure at Industrial Estates is being upgraded to match the increased requirements of entrepreneurs with the changing times.
Vice-Chairmen of several industrial corporations; Commissioner-Secretary, Shailendra Kumar and other senior officers of Divisional administration and Industries & Commerce Department were present on the occasion.Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the modernized and upgraded Udyog Bhawan at Railhead which has been redone with the use of local art pieces like Khatamband and other woodworks. She also formally unveiled the Data Centre there which would have online stocking of items by the SICOP besides GIS mapping of all the Industrial Estates.The Data Centre has been set up to put in transparency and accountability in the functioning of various agencies of Industries Department. It would also have an application tracking system by which any industrialist o entrepreneur can access the status of his or her complaint or request anytime. Besides, the Data Centre would also be linked to the Traffic Department for executing e-challans and managing the traffic signalling systems in the Srinagar and Jammu cities.