Srinagar, Oct 29: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has extended warm congratulations to the newly inducted members of the Council of Ministers on their appointment and allocation of portfolios, expressing confidence that the expanded team under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will bring renewed energy, commitment and coordination to fostering entrepreneurship, tackling unemployment and accelerating Jammu and Kashmir’s economic development.
FCIK welcomed the induction of Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mir Saifullah, Shamim Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani, while conveying its best wishes to Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Ministers Sakeena Masood Itoo, Javed Ahmad Rana and Javid Ahmad Dar in fulfilling their responsibilities.
“Every portfolio offers opportunities to nurture entrepreneurship, generate livelihoods and strengthen the local economy. Enterprise promotion must become a shared responsibility across the Government, with each department using its policies, procurement, infrastructure and services to encourage local production and employment,” FCIK stated.
The Federation hoped that the enthusiasm accompanying the Cabinet expansion would translate into timely decisions on pending matters affecting investment, industrial revival and business confidence. It particularly sought coordinated action by the Finance, Power, Industries and Commerce, Forest, Agriculture, Health and Education Departments.
FCIK urged Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to prioritise finalisation of the new Industrial Policy and early notification of rules under the Ease of Doing Business Act. It stressed that the policy must combine support for existing enterprises and revival of sick and stressed units with incentives for fresh investment, stronger local procurement and wider market access.
“The Chief Minister’s commitment to industrial renewal has raised considerable expectations. Entrepreneurs awaiting the policy need clarity, certainty and effective implementation to move ahead with investment and expansion,” the Federation said.
Congratulating Ali Mohammad Sagar on assuming responsibility for Power Development and other departments, FCIK expressed hope that his experience would help secure reliable industrial supply, address tariff concerns, provide relief on accumulated power arrears and accelerate rooftop solarisation. Affordable and dependable electricity, it emphasised, is fundamental to the competitiveness and survival of local manufacturing.
Welcoming the assignment of Finance to Javid Ahmad Dar, FCIK sought early financial concurrence to the proposed Industrial Policy, adequate budgetary provision and timely release of incentives and other dues. It also urged him to pursue with J&K Bank the early launch of a meaningful Special One-Time Settlement scheme, with coverage, concessions and eligibility provisions fully aligned with SBI’s OTS-20, without dilution or discretionary riders.
“Resolving legacy debt through a transparent, formula-based and non-discriminatory settlement framework can enable viable enterprises to resume production, release productive assets and restore employment. Industrial revival must be recognised as an investment in economic recovery,” FCIK maintained.
The Federation also highlighted the scope for linking Agriculture Production and Cooperatives, held by Dar, with local manufacturing through food processing, cold chains, packaging, storage and value addition. It called for the next phase of the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme to strengthen these connections and create viable enterprises around agricultural and horticultural production.
Welcoming Altaf Ahmad Wani’s stewardship of Forest, Ecology and Environment, FCIK sought timely resolution of pending forest-related and environmental matters affecting enterprises, simpler consent procedures and clear, consistent regulatory requirements, with environmental safeguards upheld.
“Protecting our fragile ecology and promoting responsible entrepreneurship are shared obligations. Transparent procedures and timely decisions can advance both while encouraging cleaner production and sustainable investment,” it said.
FCIK urged Sakeena Masood Itoo and Shamim Firdous, responsible for Health and Education respectively, to channel their departments’ substantial procurement requirements towards eligible local manufacturers. It also sought closer collaboration between educational institutions and industry to align skills with market requirements, encourage innovation and help young people establish enterprises of their own.
The Federation expressed hope that Mir Saifullah would use Planning and allied departments to support coordinated development and enterprise creation, while Javed Ahmad Rana’s responsibilities for Transport, Food and Civil Supplies and Tribal Affairs could help improve logistics, market access and livelihood opportunities for underserved communities.
FCIK called for an early joint interaction between the concerned Ministers and industrial stakeholders to establish a time-bound programme for pending decisions, with clear departmental responsibility and periodic review.
“The renewed energy of the Council of Ministers must translate into functioning factories, revived enterprises and meaningful opportunities for our youth. Every approval expedited, payment released and avoidable hurdle removed can strengthen an enterprise and protect the livelihoods dependent on it,” the Federation stated.
Reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagement, FCIK expressed confidence that coordinated ministerial leadership under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would turn reform commitments into tangible gains in investment, employment and public prosperity.
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