JAMMU, NOVEMBER 21: Dwelling at length on the role of SIDCO in creating right kind of business environment in the state, the Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi said all Industrial Estates (IE)s and Industrial Growth Centres (IGC)s should reverberate with industrial activity.
Reviewing the overall functioning of SIDCO at an officers meeting here today, the Minister while highlighting the new Industrial Policy and other initiatives under ‘Ease of Doing Business’ said it will provide conducive environment for fostering industrial growth in the state.
Managing Director, SIDCO, Mr Amit Sharma, General Mangers SIDCO Kashmir and Jammu, Joint Director Finance Industries and Commerce, Superintendent Engineer, SIDCO, Senior Manager Finance SIDCO and Deputy General Managers SIDCO attended the meeting.
Minister asked the Corporation functionaries to develop professional and innovative outlook to revive the lost glory of SIDCO. He also laid emphasis on adopting proactive approach towards meeting the timelines in completion of pending projects and bringing improvement in financial health of SIDCO.
Stressing upon expeditious laying of common facilities at various Industrial Estates, Farooq Andrabi called for establishing high-tech and eco-friendly industries which encourage huge investment in private sector and create ample opportunities of employment for skilled youth, the Minister said the present age is that of technopreneurs who, besides running sustainable industrial ventures, also create job opportunities for locally-trained skilled people.
Describing the locations of Industrial Estates in various parts of the State as ideal, the Minister asked the concerned officers to showcase these sites to top-end entrepreneurs who are willing to invest and set up viable manufacturing units. “Once the Estates becomes functional, the unit holders will find transportation of raw material supplies and marketing of finished products easy as most of the Estates are in close proximity of the National Highway and the Railway Lines,” he elaborated.
Managing Director SDICO briefed the Minister in detail about the various industrial activities in the meeting. He informed that the Corporation has a land bank of 25100 kanals of land in the State having 2278 industrial units, which provide employment to 64719 persons of the State. He said that Industrial Estate at Ompora is being developed at an area of 1008 kanals at the cost of Rs 9.10 crore. He further informed that Industrial complex, Ghatti in Kathua being developed over 3502 kanals of land and for the purpose Rs 81 crore is being utilized on various infrastructure works.
The Minister was briefed that the Corporation under the new Industrial Policy would create a land bank of 20000 kanals to further boost the industrial activities across the State. He said the construction work for upgradation of infrastructure facilities at Trade Facilitation Center (TFC) Uri is apace at a cost of Rs 10.73 crore while as National Institute of Fashion Technology(NIFT) at Ompora, Budgam would be established at a cost of Rs 325.36 crore. He said this prestigious project would be completed in all respects by Marh 2021. He further informed that under the Prime Minister’s Development Programme (PMDP) works of Rs 116 crore have been identified in the State out of which industrial growth works to the tune of Rs 23 crore have been completed.
The meeting was told that on the commitment of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for establishment of Leather Project at Industrial Growth Center Lassipora, the SIDCO has forwarded a project report of Rs 40.15 crore to the Centre for sanction of funds.
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