Expressing concern over the threat of closure of 150 copper recycling units in Jammu, industry body CII today asked the state government to take several measures, including reduction in custom duty, exemption of special duty immediately, to save the copper industry in the state.
The units in Jammu are becoming unviable and unless immediate steps are not taken, 150 such units, which were providing employment to over 10,000 people, may be closed down, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), J&K, Chairman Sanjay Puri told reporters here.
Puri, who also met Director of Industries and Commerce, Jammu, B S Dua here today, recommended reduction of customs duty from five percent to nil on copper scrap, exemption of four per cent special addition duty on copper scrap among others.
Puri also highlighted the excess power bills being charged from the industrial units.
He also raised the issue of certain departments in the government not following the laid down price purchase preference (ppp) instructions. This was against the spirits of the PPP which was instituted by the government to give preference to local state entrepreneurs, Puri said.