Rs 1,200 crore investment plans for J&K

The industrial climate is fast changing in Jammu and Kashmir. The state has already received investment proposals of nearly Rs 1,200 crore during the past one year, and many more are in the pipeline.

Not only the industries ministry of the state, business circles also are nursing the hope that the state will become the hub of industrial activities in the northern region.

The secretary-general of the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rajinder Motial, said, "Industrialisation has stabilised in Jammu and Kashmir. And after 15 years of terrorism, people are now discussing investments. They are talking of Amul setting up units or special economic zones coming up."

Forty projects have come up at the Samba and Bari Brahmana industrial estates of the Jammu region, with an investment of Rs 103 crore, generating employment for 3,100 persons.

Of these, 22 projects have been commissioned at the industrial growth centre (IGC) in Samba with an investment of Rs 55 crore, and 18 at Bari Brahmana with an investment of Rs 48 crore. Thirty more are at various stages of implementation, with an investment of Rs 56 crore. These projects would generate direct employment for 1,800 people.

Several big industrial houses are keen to invest in the state.

Meanwhile, in order to meet the growing demand of entrepreneurs for land, 156 acres more have been acquired by the industries department for developing the second phase of the industrial growth centre at Samba. The government has also identified additional land for developing new industrial areas close to Kathua.

According to Principal Secretary (Industries and Commerce) A Sahasranaman, the main factors attracting new investments in Jammu and Kashmir are undoubtedly the package of incentives offered by the central government, coupled with the state's own package.

He said modern, updated technologies and huge investments made by investors clearly indicated they were here to stay.

He said the increasingly investor-friendly atmosphere being created in the state was a key factor attracting investors. Positive attitude, quick response, and the generally hassle-free approach of the state's bureaucracy were also important, he added.

He expressed confidence that Jammu and Kashmir would become the hub of industrial activities of the northern region sooner than expected.

Industrialists, on the other hand, feel there still are some impediments.

The president of Industrial Association Gangyal (Jammu), Rattan Dogra, says, "Though a lot has been promised, not much has been delivered. The government claims to have given incentives and relief packages, but it is not transparent in its policies. Moreover with electricity playing truant frequently, how can we think of rapid industrialisation?"