Anantnag, Jul 28 (KNS): Principal Secretary, Tourism and Industries, Navin Kumar Choudhary Sunday said under Industrial Policy incentives, bat manufacturing units in Kashmir will receive a boost in coming days.

Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS) here on the side lines of a function, he said, “I had met two months back with bat manufacturers and for the last 70 years two of their problems were not addressed. One was clearance from the forest department due to which they were not getting any incentives from the government.”

“Second was they were not having any plant to manufacture the world class bats. I requested Forest Secretary and within a 15-days-time, he ensured the forest clearance for them. Now our Department has declared it as Sports Industrial Zone. Under Industrial policy, they will get all the incentives, like 30 percent subsidy, insurance, working capital and DG sets,” Choudhary said.

He announced by December they will get a modern bat manufacturing plant and that will be handed over to them (bat manufacturers). “If Kashmir willow is the best in world, then best bat should also be manufactured form Kashmir. We are hopeful that this area will export at least Rs five crore goods,” Choudhary said.

“Hundreds of families in Anantnag and Pulwama districts are dependent on bat industry. It was running on lower level till now and I am hopeful with these facilities this area will get a lot of economic boost,” he added.

On the working of tourism development authorities, Choudhary said, “These authorities have become engineering departments. The aim for which they were formed have not been achieved. Within a month’s time Tourism Department will go the SAC for restructuring of all developmental authorities. We will launch theme-based tourism in a month’s time.” (KNS)