Srinagar, May 25 (KNS): PHD Chamber Kashmir Chapter held an interactive meeting with D.P.S. Negi, (IES) Economic Advisor (Finance) Ministry of MSME, and GoI and with Navin Kumar Choudhary (IAS) Principal Secretary, Finance Department, J&K Government.
The meeting was held at Hotel Radisson Srinagar on May 24th 2018.
The essence of the session revolved around the interventions the chamber is seeking from the Ministry of MSME for J&K, covering manufacturing as well as the service sectors including Hospitality (Tourism), Handicraft and Handloom.
The Economic Advisor was requested for the interventions in MSME policy for J&K, Chairman Kashmir Chapter, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya while speaking on the occasion said that the MSME sector is an emerging sector and MSME sector is major job providing sector of country.
Chaya said that recently the National president of PHD Chamber had met DIPP Secretary at New Delhi and asked for Himalayan States, the similar package as has been provided to the North-Eastern States under NEIDS Scheme.
On this occasion the PHDCCI Kashmir Chapter presented a Memorandum to Negi, asking for the intervention in MSME policy for J&K which included a separate guidelines for Hospitality (Tourism), Handicraft and Handloom Sector under MSME that should cover all the benefits which the North eastern States are currently availing under NEIDS (North East Industrial Development Scheme-2017) and also the all schemes & programmes of Ministry of MSME should be implemented in J&K and should be at par with NE States.
Furthermore, the Chamber requested the Economic Advisor to help in the allocation of central grant for setting up of 12 Rural Industrial Estates in J&K under MSE-CDP Scheme of MSME, for revival & Rehabilitation of sick units in J&K the funds that the PM’s Task Force on MSME has recommended was also discussed.
Lastly the intervention from the Economic Advisor was sought upon Government’s Procurement Policy wherein it was suggested that at least 10% procurement should be done from minority community units & also the minority community to be also included along with SC, ST and Women Categories in MSME Policy for Startup Schemes, with enhanced PMEGP targets for J&K.
Responding to these suggestions, Negi said the Himalayan States including J&K, should always be kept in parity with North Eastern States and among the Himalayan States, J&K should always be given more preference due the State being “geographically tough” location and the issues being faced by the State from generation to generation.
Negi said that he will advocate the elimination or reduction of GST to the GoI, for the Himalayan States especially J&K making it at par with that of N.E States. Referring to the Schemes of Ministry of MSME he said there are many Schemes that are being offered by ministry of MSME that it becomes cumbersome to implement all of them.
As such these schemes have been clubbed under “7 UMBRELLA SCHEMES”, and besides that all schemes are applicable in J&K and awareness programmes are required to sensitize the people about these schemes. About the allocation of funds for Rehabilitation of sick units in J&K he said that if it has been announced in Budget Session the grant will surely be issued to the State.
Negi assured that he will ensure that the proposals and projects for J&K will be disbursed smoothly and will consider all the Suggestions Submitted by PHD Chamber.
The Principal Secretary Finance Navin Kumar Chowdhary speaking on the occasion apprised the delegation that the demands for Power tariff notification for Hotels, amnesty for resolving Old tax issues and other related issues which were submitted to finance department in the form of memorandum has been taken up and will be resolved on priority.
He also suggested that the industrial estates should be given to unit holders to run and maintain them and there should be extensive sensitization and outreach programmes for youth of J&K about the various industrial schemes, and the MSME should adapt the modern accounting practices which is essential for business to grow and avail the benefits.
The other dignitaries who attended the interactive session was Peerzada Mansoor Hussain Soharwardy Vice Chairman of the J&K Khadi and Village Industries Board, Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat Member KVIC North Zone, Rashid Ahmad Qadri Secretary/CEO J&K Khadi & Village Industries Board, Bilal Ahmad Bhat Director Industries Kashmir, Saheel Alaqband Assistant Director MSME J&K, Yawar Mir Vice-president PDP youth wing & MLA Rafiabad, Assistant Director KVIC J&K (Nodal Officer PMEGP), Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya Chairman PHD Chamber Kashmir Chapter, Baldev Singh Raina Co- Chairman PHD Chamber Kashmir Chapter, Bilal Ahmad Kawoosa General Secretary PHD Chamber Kashmir Chapter and all the other Chairmen & Co-Chairmen Of PHDCCI Kashmir Chapter Expert Committee Showkat Chowdhary, Vicky Shaw, Tariq Rashid Ghani and Shahana Fatima, Tanveer Shah, and Regional officer of PHDCCI J&K. (KNS)