Jammu, Nov 17: In a sharp contrast to the highly ambitious industrial policy of worth Rs 28,400 Cr announced by none other but Lt Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha himself on January 7 this year aimed for the development of industrial sector, the Jammu & Kashmir State Industrial Development Corporation (J&K SIDCO) -the nodal agency for promotion & development of medium and large scale Industries is harassing the small entrepreneurs by coining its own ways.
According to sources, small industries entrepreneurs SIDCO for harassing the new units holders particularly those who has registered themselves prior to Covid lockdown and yet are at the toddler stage i.e. non productivity.
One of aggrieved MSME entrepreneurs on anonymity said that his unit stands registered in 2019, despite having being paid the requisite dues, he has been asked by the SIDCO to pay more in name of the rent and other dues.
He said the nodal authorities despite knowing the fact that frequent Covid -19 lockdowns and the limited work restrictions has taken the toll of the new units holders are mercilessly issuing notices to the MSME unit holders.
“This is not only putting then into dilemma and pressure to manage the finances but also is taking toll of their family life,
He said presently the position of the industrial sector of J&K is more serious due to sharp decline in the industrial growth in the state in wake of the post Covid -19 situation and majority of the small entrepreneurs are having a tight rope walk to manage the crisis at the same time the SIDCO is harassing every now and then by using various tactics be it rent or may it be other expenses.
“This is happening, when many of the newly registered MSME Units were forced to lockdown in want of human resources and the short of market due to pandemic restrictions “
“It as a deliberate attempt of the concerned officials for the reason best known to them for their vested interest,” he said with a covert indication of corruption in the concerned department.
Some even alleged that some of the unit holders are being slapped with huge and whopping bills amounting to Rs 6.0 Lakhs which is next to imposable for the new unit holder to clear such huge dues when many units are in infant stage.
Some of MSME unit holders also alleged that concerned authorities have adopted different yardsticks to deal with outsider entrepreneurs and the locals.
While local are being forced to pay huge expenses, on the other hand the outsiders are given a red carpet welcome with ‘freebies’ – which is not only atypical discrimination to local industrialists but also a discouragement as compared to their counterparts from outside the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
“We’ are even threatened of being blacklisted.”
Worth to mention here that on January 07, 2021, the Union government has announced an industrial development scheme for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The LG said the scheme will facilitate new investments, substantial expansion and also nurture existing industries in the newly-carved union territory.
“The industrial scheme is from the period of date of notification upto the year 2037 with a total outlay of Rs 28,400 crores. This will encourage new investments, substantial expansion and also nurture existing industries in Jammu & Kashmir,” Sinha has stated
