06/10/2017
NO: KCC&I /PC /588 6TH OCTOBER, 2017
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE
BY
JAMMU & KASHMIR CHAMBERs OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
In response to the support extended by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry on issues of common interest of Trade, Commerce and Industry of Jammu & Kashmir and in the interests of persons engaged in such activities, both our Chambers have decided to unite in highlighting the numerous focus areas and specific interventions required by the State and Central Governments.
With regard to policy matters and issues wherein there are divergent views, it has been decided that both the Chambers - with respect to the sentiments and views of people of both the regions – will restrain themselves from raising such issues which may have a tendency to vitiate the environment, have political colors and are not directly related to Trade, Commerce and Industry.
Having said that, we would now like to address some principal areas wherein both the Chambers feel that urgent and decisive intervention is required:
1. TOURISM:-
Promotion of Intra-Regional Tourism Circuit
The Chambers would like to advise the Government to have a systematic and professionally managed promotional campaign to promote leisure, adventure, religious and border tourism as we feel that the real potential of this sector is untapped.
We request the State Government to urge the Central Government to take a policy decision to instruct all departments/ministries to hold Departmental Conferences in J&K State so that people across the country know the ground realities, culinary heritage and themselves see the peaceful atmosphere and the rich culture of the State.
Although the Tourism Sector has been declared as an Industry in the year 1995 but the sector is being denied incentives as per the Industrial Policy by the Power Development Department.
2. MASTER PLAN :-
The Chambers express grave concern and displeasure over the way the current Master Plans are being designed ignoring the ground realities and not taking into consideration the urgent requirement of changes to be made regarding Land Use, Provisions for new commercial spaces, Parking & Other Utilities. The Building Laws, Floor Area Ratios, Setbacks, Zoning Plans and Permissible Building Heights are areas where both the Chambers have serious reservations.
Both the Chambers also urge the State Government to extend till 31st March, 2018 the Ordinance regarding the J&K Civic Laws (Special Provisions) Amendment Act, 2014 as the Master Plan is yet be finalized.
3. DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS :-
We urge the State Government to fix the deadlines for completion of all developmental projects being undertaken throughout the State as the delay in completion translates into cost escalations and ultimately these projects turn into financial nightmares for all the stakeholders.
Our Chambers would also request the Government to fix accountability of officers in-charge of such projects.
The Chambers feel stunned and anguished over the recent statement by the Deputy Chief Minister declaring the Artificial Lake Project on River Tawi as a big scam and non-viable as a project. The Chambers question the Deputy Chief Minister that is the in-charge ministry also a party to this scam as there has been neither any enquiry nor any suspension of any official in connection with the alleged scam. The Chambers advise the Government to revisit the Artificial Lake Project in consultation with any of the IIT’s.
The absence of a proper Tendering and Procurement Policy by the State Government is also of prime concern to both the Chambers as this results in the inordinate delays in projects and huge cost escalations. In addition the Chambers jointly question the State Government over the non-implementation of the Delayed Payment Act. The delay in receipt of payments from Government Departments has had a crippling effect on the concerned members of the business community.
4. PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS:-
We are concerned at the losses to our economy being caused by the lack of accountability in the Public Sector Undertakings. A conservative estimate shows the current liabilities of these PSU’s to be upwards of Rs.10,000 Crores. In addition, the locking up of resources in the shape of infrastructure, land, manpower and potential has a consolidated negative impact – primary and consequential - running into lakhs of crores. Other important sectors like Handicrafts, Tourism, Power, Manufacturing, LOC Trade, Horticulture and Agriculture suffer due to the lack of a clear and proactive policy. A coordinated effort in this direction would go a long way in pulling our economy out of it’s present state.
The preference to local industry in line with the Industrial Policy of 2016 passed by the State Cabinet is not being implemented with regard to “Purchase and Price Preference” by the Power Development Department to the local industrial units resulting in bringing these units to the verge of closure.
With one of the highest Transmission & Distribution Losses in the world, our State needs a serious relook at the system. Even though, T&D losses have been marginally reduced, still the percentage remains quite alarming.
5. EASE OF DOING BUSINESS :-
We urge the State Government to put in place the Single Window Systems for all the Sectors especially in the Industrial Sector where the Chambers expect the availability of land, power and other utilities to be unambiguously specified.
6. CREDIT CARD/DEBIT CARD WAIVER OF CHARGES:-
The Chambers urge the State Government to take up the issue of waiver of charges on Debit/Credit Card with the Reserve Bank of India.
Both the chambers of Jammu & Kashmir shall be jointly addressing issues and conveying press conferences regularly as and when may be required.
JAVED AHMAD TENGA RAKESH GUPTA
PRESIDENT PRESIDENT
KASHMIR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (INC) JAMMU CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
