Srinagar, Oct 17: Maintaining that government is keen to bring the Kashmir division on the industrial map of the country, Minister for Industries & Commerce   S S Slathia today said that sufficient land is readily available in the various Industrial Estates of Valley for allotment among the prospective entrepreneurs.
 He, according to an official statement, said that one additional Industrial Estate in each district of the Kashmir is being proposed to be set up for the purpose.
 He added that 28 Industrial Estates are already functional which include 10 Industrial estates being maintained by SICOP & SIDCO spread over an area of around 9500 kanals.
 Speaking at a mammoth gathering after inaugurating Rs 5 crore Industrial Estate at Chotipora Handwara today, the Minister said that the entrepreneurs would be provided the requisite facilities and other attractive package  of incentives available under Central & State Industrial policies for starting their ventures.
 He said that Industrial Estate Chotipora spread over an area of 105 kanals of land has been designed for 98 plots.
 Former Minister and MLA Handwara,   Chodhary Mohd. Ramzan, MLA Langate   Sheikh Abdul Rashid, also spoke on the occasion. Also present on the inauguration of the new industrial estate were Director, Industries & Commerce   Mehraj-u-din Kenu, Managing Director, SICOP,   R.K. Razdan, and other HOD’s, a large number of Panchs and Sarpanchs, prospective entrepreneurs and other officers from Industries and Commerce department.
 The Minister for Industries and Commerce appreciated the efforts of the implementing agency J&K SICOP for having completed the project in the record time for which time lines were already set for the job.
 Asking the youth to come forward for availing benefits of industrial package, the Minister said the banks have been directed to provide hassle-free loans to the entrepreneurs as recommended by the Industries & Commerce department within 3 months failing which action shall be taken against “defaulters”.
 The Minister said in the best interest of the unemployed youth and investors Industrial Estates shall be set up at Langate for which preference will be given to the local youth.
 He advised the entrepreneurs to invest in such ventures where raw material and market are locally available. “Entrepreneurs are entitled for 30% subsidy on capital investment besides other incentives,   Slathia added”
 The highlight of the function was on the spot distribution of 20 allotment letters of industrial plots to the various Entrepreneurs by the Minister.
 He advised them to start their venture without wasting any time so that they could provide employment opportunities to the unemployed youth of the area.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST