JAMMU: The department of Industries and Commerce, Jammu & Kashmir convened a meeting with the office bearers and representatives of various Industrial & Trade Associations of J&K to assess the impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis on industrial operations in the Union Territory. The department sought suggestions from the Industrial Associations to mitigate the challenges.
The meeting was chaired by Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Vikramjit Singh.
Dr. Arun Manhas, Director, Industries and Commerce, Jammu, stated that the meeting had been convened to evaluate the implications of the evolving energy situation and its impact on industrial, trade and other service sector activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Commissioner Secretary, while addressing the participants, informed that there is a temporary mismatch in supply and demand of energy due to the unfolding crisis. He said that efforts are being made by the Central Government to tap the alternate sources of energy to address this mismatch.
The Commissioner Secretary informed that Deputy Commissioners of the districts have been tasked with coordinating with the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). In case of a specific concern, the units may bring the same to the notice of the respective Deputy Commissioners or District Nodal Officer which shall be nominated by the Director, Industries and Commerce.
Vikramjit Singh further apprised that directions have been issued by the Government to release the pending payments to MSMEs on priority. He cautioned that industrial units must refrain from engaging in rumour-mongering and black marketing during the present crisis and emphasized that any such activity shall be dealt with strictly
On a request from the participants, Vikramjit Singh assured that the matter of transportation of goods shall be taken up with the Railways to facilitate movement of fruits, horticulture produce and other finished goods from Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding the participants’ request, Vikramjit Singh stated that the matter regarding credit and capital assistance to units in J&K shall be taken up by the Department through the UTLBC.
The Commissioner Secretary emphasized that the situation must be managed without creating undue panic. He stated that the Government is expediting the development of infrastructure for piped natural gas. It was also stressed that units must ensure that wages of the workers currently employed in Industrial & Services Sector in J&K are not delayed.
Vikramjit Singh assured that all necessary measures shall be undertaken by the Department to support the industrial units during the ongoing crisis.
The meeting was also attended by Managing Director, J&K TPO Sudershan Kumar, Chairman, Federation Of Industries-Jammu Virender Jain, Vice President, Confederation of Indian Industry, Sidhant Choudhary, Chairman ICC Rahul Sahai, President ASSOCHAM Manik Batra, Chairman , FICCI Lalit Mahajan, Chairman FICCI-Flo Varsha Bansal, President, J&K PICCA Bashir Ahmad Naik, Harvinder Singh, President, Association of Small and Tiny Industries and officers from the Directorate of Industries and Commerce.
