Jammu, Feb 06: The Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) today hailed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for his “vision in creating entrepreneur friendly industrial ecosystems in J&K.” A delegation of the FCIK led by its president Shahid Kamli met the LG at Raj Bhawan, Jammu today.

"The financial package announced on September the 25th gave a ray of hope to the entrepreneurs of J&K that they could successfully run their business. Even in today's meeting, assurances by LG and the patient hearing he gave to us during deliberations as well as to our demands over the present industrial scenario, are praiseworthy," President FCIK Shahid Kamli said in a statement after the meeting.

The FCIK’s Administrative Council delegation led by President Kamli apprised the LG about the present scenario of industry, which it said is ailing since 2009 and requires immediate action by the administration to “save the industry which is employing labour numbering lacs in both skilled and unskilled categories in the valley.”

The delegation also sought immediate restoration of marketing support, which has been put on halt due to imposition of GEM portal. The statement said that the delegation, at the same time, expressed satisfaction that the LG assured them of immediate remedial measures.

"We also discussed the release of delayed payments, so that capital flow will help industries to run smoothly," Kamli said.

He also said that a detailed discussion regarding industrial policy, agriculture, horticulture, poultry and handicrafts sector was discussed and the FCIK was “very positive about the assurances of the LG to revive these sectors.”

The statement added that GST claims and remissions, as well as returns under SRO 63/519/521 and ambiguity related to VAT returns caused by pre-GST regime were also discussed in the meeting. The delegation also sought the intervention of LG Sinha to address issues with financial lending institutions.

The FCIK apprised the LG that the unit holders who are “tired and unviable may be given exit route by way of OTS and the unit holders who still want to sail through even after distressed times over the years may be restructured and given ample working capital to restart their business immediately, as the working season has started after COVID and harsh winters slowdown.”

The statement further said that while thanking LG Sinha for the financial package announced on 25the September, 2020, “which gave hope to the unit holders”, and the recent industrial policy, the FCIK delegation sought compensation to the business community for the losses suffered after August 5, 2019. The delegation also sought extending the provision of benefits of industrial policy to the existing unit holders.

The delegation, once again led by FCIK president Kamli also called on the Advisor to the LG, Baseer Khan to express their gratitude for his “support in addressing concerns of unit holders.” The FCIK thanked Baseer Khan for his role in creating “positive ecosystem for the industries in J&K and his support to the industrialists during his tenure in the different offices that he held.”

The statement further added that a meeting was also held with the Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce Manoj Diwedi at the “behest of LG at the Civil Secretariat, Jammu to discuss various issues including new industrial policy and the present health of industrial sector in J&K.”

The delegation also called on the Chairman PCB, Chugh, MD SIDCO and MD SICOP and highlighted the issues concerning the unit holders.