Srinagar 07 February (KNS): A Delegation of PHD chamber Kashmir headed by its Chairman Mr  Baldev Singh Raina, Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya , Jaan Muhammad Kaul, Bilal Ahmad Kawoosa, Shahana Fatima and Regional Manager Iqbal Fayaz Jan had a call on meeting with  Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha. 

The delegation apprised the  Governor that It is because of your leadership skills and immense experience we have witnessed from past several months the large scale reforms in all sectors of economy towards development of UT  of J&K, the delegation extended gratitude for  significant initiatives taken by the administration and to mention like  the announcement of New Industrial Development Scheme, approval of Land allotment  Policy and restoration of 4G internet services.The delegation appreciated the leadership of Lieutenant Governor and his administration for  nurturing the  investment climate in UT of J&K and  creating favorable ecosystem for employment generation and farmers empowerment.

The  LG was also presented a Memorandum at the meeting which offered suggestions as to what the Government could do to mitigate the present crisis. The suggestions and discussed in threadbear with Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor included :

The release of 2nd installment for interest subvention, 

Extension of filing dates for GST returns and reimbursement claims, 

Complete waive off the Amnesty tax amount of Arrears in the old tax regime (VAT) keeping in view the business losses in 2019 and 2020,

Time bound Implementation of various decision taken and releif measures announced by the Committee Constituted by LG for Revival of Bussiness Sector in UT of J&K, 

Extension in the lease agreements and resolving the vexed issues of Roshni Land Scheme, 

For nurturing of existing Industrial Sector under the industrial scheme announced it is imperative to provide relaxation in the 
RBI norms for NPA, restructuring, CIBIL Score and Credit Rating for Kashmir region  keeping in view the economic breakdown since 2014 in Kashmir 
Valley , 

One time extension for project implementation for Industrial units by 2 years who could  not establish their units due to complete lockdown since August 2019 because of  Reorganization of J&K followed by Covid 19,

Change in terms & conditions in recently launched Bussiness Support Loan Scheme 2019-20 for Hotels and Guest  Houses by J&K bank, 

Massive marketing of tourism sector at national level, permission for renovation /refurbishing and upgradation of existing hotels, 

Rollback of 9% tax on new vehicles, to control the exorbitant airfare the delegation requested that the Un-served Airports  needs to be brought under Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN-RCS), 

It was also requested that the on-grid solar power policy needs to be implemented and eased out in J&K for the  installation of solar power projects by domestic, commercial and Industrial consumers, 

As an  alternative funding mechanism the J&KDFC,J&KSFC and other National Level NBFC's , NCDC and other banks was requested to be advised to lend in liberal and hassle free manner with the relaxations in RBI lending  guidelines for MSME Sector,
 
Implementations of National Handicraft and Handloom Program of Ministry of Textiles  GOI for self sustained development of Handicraft and Handloom Sector and it was requested to impress upon the central  government for setting up of one of the textile park at Kashmir region as was announced in recent budget, 

Making Inland Container Depot. ICD at Rangreth Srinagar operational and functional, 

It was brought in the notice  of LG that  In order to make NAFED relevant for increasing farmer’s income it is imperative to intervene  by revision in qualification criteria of EOI invited by NAFED, 

The illegal trading of substandard Apples from Iran, China Via Afghanistan and  Wagah Boarder which is emerging threat to the apple Industry of Kashmir and Himachal needs to be monitored,

Promotion and formation of Farmer Producer Organisations in all farming sectors of J&K. 

For the  benefit of Sheep Farmers the wool processing unit of JKI at Nowshehra Srinagar was requested to be made functional so that the marketing support for wool is ensured to  Sheep Farmers on the pattern of Silk Farmers as provided by JKI, 

Continuation of components on pattern of NE industrial Scheme and Inclusion of entire J&K in Zone B, 

Development of world class tourism infrastructure, revision in srinagar master plan, 

To impress upon the RBI and Banks to allow the forbearance of  SMA-0 conditions by allowing the already stressed sector as SMA1 under ECLGS 2.0 for the  companies coming under the bracket of 50 to 500 Cr.

Time Bound Single Window Clearance for  all type of Projects, Services and for that that we suggest that all 372 point of Bussiness  Reform Action Plan (BRAP) issued by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion GOI  should be implemented in J&K on priority so that we will improve our ranking in ease of doing business.

The Lieutenant Governor  gave the PHDCCI delegation a patient hearing and assured  that he would examine the issues presented in memorundum and will address the issues concerned in a time bound manner. He apprised the delegation that 2nd Installment of interest subvention will be released before March and the industrial policy will be notified soon and would be applicable from April 2021. The meeting lasted 50 minutes and ended with positive note  and the Hon' ble LG was very receptive to the PHDCCI  demands.
The Lt Governor, while interacting with the members of the delegation, observed that the UT Government is taking reformative measures in all major economic sectors. He assured that the suggestions made by PHDCCI would be looked into meticulously for consideration.(KNS)