Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, today chaired a meeting of all Head of Departments and Corporations to review the industrial activities and work plan in the backdrop of COVID-19.Dwivedi had a detailed deliberation on the present industrial scenario in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of Pandemic outbreak. He discussed the situation arising out of continued lockdown and enquired about the welfare of industrialists, artisans and lower end workers and staff of all the departments. He exhorted upon all HODs to ensure that benefits of the schemes announced by the Government shall reach to all the concerned in their domains.Directors, Industries and Commerce of both Jammu and Kashmir gave a brief of the industrial activity resumed in their regions and apprised that all necessary Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines are being adhered to strictly by the unit holders. They also put forth several difficulties being encountered by the entrepreneurs in smooth running of their units.Director Handlooms & Handicrafts and MD J&K Handloom Corporation, informed that their units at Jammu and Srinagar are making cotton masks and about 1 lakh masks have been distributed so far.Secretary, KVIB informed that nearly 4 lakh masks have been made and supplied to various quarters by their operating units for further distribution.Responding to Director, Geology and Mining information regarding illegal mining activities being noticed in few places, Commissioner Secretary asked him to take up the matter with Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police of both the divisions seeking their intervention towards curbing this menace of illegal mining taking place during lockdown period.Managing Director, J&K SIDCO and MD SICOP informed that cleanliness, fogging and fumigation of all the Estates is being done regularly on war footing. Besides, complete hygienic and sanitized surroundings are being maintained around the buildings at Rangreth and Lassipora which are being utilized as quarantine centers.
Dwivedi was informed that the engineering staff has mobilized the contractors and supervisory staff for resumption of construction activities in the Industrial Estates. He asked the concerned to ensure that the construction works should be prioritized as per the importance and availability of labour at site. He also asked for keeping strict monitoring by the department regarding social distancing adhering to the guidelines and SOPs issued from time to time. He also gave directions for taking special care of migrant labourers who may be facing problems due to lockdown.Managing Director, J&K TPO, briefed about the work done during lockdown and informed about active interactions currently going on with the investors.Dwivedi asked the concerned HODs to firm up the land details which shall be made available for investible projects. He advised to utilise social media platforms to spread different safety guidelines for generating awareness among the Industry players to contain COVID-19 pandemic and publicise use of Aarogya setu app by all Industrial houses and their employees. He asked all HODs to make roaster of employees to keep offices functional while maintaining social distancing and sanitization. He directed to ensure that red zone area staff should work from home besides asking all HODs for extending complete support to the district administration in its battle against the Virus.The meeting was attended by Managing Director, J&K SIDCO and J&K TPO Ravinder Kumar, Director Industries and Commerce, Jammu Anoo Malhotra, Director Geology and Mining, Vikas Sharma, Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, Mussrat Islam, Director J&K Minerals Vikram Gupta, Managing Director J&K Handicrafts (S&E) Corporation, Hashmat Ali Yatoo, Managing Director J&K Handloom Corporation, Rakesh Sharma, Managing Director J&K SICOP, Atul Sharma while Director Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director J&K Cements, I.H.Drabu and Secretary KVIB, Rashid Ahmad Qadri participated through video conferencing.