LG Manoj Sinha: Delivering promises

Kashmir Magazine

On October 3 Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha during his visit to Nesbal, Bandipora on the second day of Back to Village-3 programme said that he will not make any hollow announcements but will deliver what he promises.

“I want the socio-economic growth of Jammu Kashmir to become an example, a benchmark, for other states of the country. It is my promise, and I will work day and night to ensure that J&K very soon becomes a shining example of equitable growth”, Sinha, said on

The LG said that the farmers, artisans, labourers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, everyone will benefit from the ongoing and upcoming schemes.

In the month of December Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme for the residents of Jammu and Kashmir, via video conferencing and interacted with the beneficiaries of Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

Interacting with Ramesh Lal, a cancer patient from Jammu, Prime Minister Modi said “Ayushman Bharat has made your life ‘ayushman’. I urge you to tell everyone you meet about this scheme and its benefits.”
“Today is a historic day for Jammu and Kashmir. From today all the people of Jammu and Kashmir are going to get the benefits of Ayushman Yojana. Health Scheme- This in itself is a big step. And I am very happy to see Jammu and Kashmir taking these steps for the development of its people,” said PM Modi during his address.
Right now about 6 lakh families of the state were getting the benefit of Ayushman Bharat Scheme. After the health plan, all 21 lakh families will get the same benefit, the Prime Minister said.

There will be another benefit of this scheme which needs to be mentioned again and again. Your treatment will not be limited to government and private hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir only. Rather, thousands of hospitals are connected under this scheme in the country, you will also get this facility,” he added.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha termed the launch of SEHAT Scheme as a glorious chapter of J&K’s history. One crore residents of J&K who were not eligible under Ayushman Bharat scheme would now be benefitted making it a first of its kind scheme in India, he added.

In his address during launch of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Sehat Scheme, Sinha underscored the key features of the Health scheme and observed that the SEHAT Scheme will provide financial cover upto Rs 5 lakh per family on a floater basis to all residents of J&K with benefits portable across the country, without cap on family size. A beneficiary can avail free and cashless treatment in any public and private empanelled hospitals across the country, he said.
On behalf of the 1.3 crore population of the Union Territory, the Lt Governor extended his gratitude to the Prime Minister for extending the Universal Health Coverage in J&K.
Speaking on successful conduct of the recently held DDC elections, observed that for the first time in the history of J&K, the 3-tier Panchayati Raj System in the UT has been established empowering the grass root democracy.
PM’s directions of holding free and fair elections were ensured and the DDC elections were held smoothly and peacefully in the UT, he maintained.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir have manifested their faith in the democratic process. Youth, women, elders of J&K have voted for strengthening grass root democracy and paving way for progressive future of the UT, Sinha observed.

Similarly in less than a fortnight, he announced new industrial policy which was hailed by one and all the like the Sehat scheme.

The new industrial developmental scheme (IDS) with a total outlay of Rs 28,400 crore will encourage new investment and to take industrial development to the block level.

“In a major decision of far-reaching consequence, the Government of India has approved a new Industrial Developmental Scheme for Jammu and Kashmir,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced at a presser.

“The scheme will go a long way in ushering an era of socio-economic development of the region and for catering to the aspirations of people,” he said.

Sinha said that this scheme is from the period of date of notification up to the year 2037 with a total outlay of Rs 28,400 crore.

He said that it is for the first time any industrial incentive scheme is taking development to the block level and added that it will promote far-flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The scheme will encourage new investment, substantial expansion and also nurture the existing industries in the Union territory. It will also provide employment to 4.5 lakh people besides leading to equitable, balanced and sustainable socio-economic development of the region,” the LG said.

He said that manufacturing and service sector units in the union territory will benefit and noted that the scheme visualises a larger role of Jammu and Kashmir in the Indian economy.

“The scheme will optimise utilisation of the local strengths of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

While giving details of the scheme, Sinha said it will give a major push to the economy of the region and provide huge opportunities of employment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The main purpose of the scheme is to generate employment beyond government jobs in both manufacturing and service sectors,” he added.

Sinha said that the scheme is being implemented with the vision that industry and service-led development of Jammu and Kashmir needs to be given a fresh thrust with emphasis on job creation, skill development and sustainable development by attracting new investment and nurturing the existing ones.

“The scheme will provide major support to local industry besides creation of new business opportunities,” he added.

The scheme has four more incentives, the LG added.

Sinha said that capital investment incentive will be made available at the rate of 30 per cent in Zone A (urban) and 50 per cent in Zone B (rural) on investment made in plant and machinery (in manufacturing) or construction of building and other durable physical assets (in service sector).

“Units with an investment up to Rs 50 crore will be eligible to avail this incentive. Maximum limit of incentive is Rs 5 crore and Rs 7.5 crore in Zone A and Zone B respectively,” he added.

Similarly capital interest subvention is at the annual rate of 6 per cent for maximum seven years on loan amount up to Rs 500 crore for investment in plant and machinery (in manufacturing) or construction of building and all other durable physical assets( in service sector), he added.

Besides this, GST linked incentive is a financial incentive based on gross GST and this will incentivise output up to 300 per cent of the eligible value of actual investment made in plant and machinery (in manufacturing) or construction in building and all other durable physical assets (in service sector) for 10 years, he said.

However, the amount of incentive in a financial year will not exceed one-tenth of the total eligible amount of incentive, he added.

The LG further said that the working capital interest incentive is for all existing units at the annual rate of five for maximum five years and maximum limit of incentive is Rs 1 crore.

Giving details about key features, he said that the scheme has been made attractive for both smaller and larger units.

“Smaller units with an investment in plant and machinery up to Rs 50 crore will get a capital incentive up to Rs 7.5 crore and get capital interest subvention at the rate of 6 per cent for maximum seven years”, he added.

Will give flip to economy: Altaf Bukhari

 

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari exuded optimism that the industrial package with budgetary outlay of Rs 28400 crore announced by the government of India would give a fillip to the state’s ailing economy.

In a statement issued here, Bukhari extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha for fulfilling their commitment towards growth and prosperity of the industrial sector in J&K.

Bukhari said, “I wholeheartedly welcome this mega industrial package which I am sure will usher in a new era of industrial growth in Jammu and Kashmir. The announcement has come at a time when there is an immense need for the revival of the ailing industrial sector in J&K.”

He said the industrial sector of J&K has suffered a lot due to turbulent situations and has unfortunately remained ailing for the last many decades. With the new industrial package, Bukhari said J&K is believed to witness a remarkable transformation in the existing industrial ecosystem thereby helping out lakhs of families associated with this sector.

He said the new industrial development package can also be of great help to entrepreneurs across Jammu and Kashmir. “I would like to place on record the appreciation for the state administration headed by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha for pursuing this issue and getting it approved from the central government,” he said.

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Apni Party President stated that the new industrial package has been estimated to set up new units along with a promised job creation for 4.5 lakhs, and that is what is needed direly at present in view of the alarming rate of unemployment in J&K.

Bukhari said the Apni Party has always raised its concerns about unemployment, skill development and creating sustainable development by attracting investments in Jammu and Kashmir at all government forums available to it. “I am hopeful that the new package will not only boost industries and commerce sectors but will also provide great opportunities for the qualified unemployed youth of J&K,” he added.

 

PHDCCI welcomes the Policy

PHD chamber of Commerce and Industries (PHDCCI) has thanked the Prime Minister, Lt. Governor of UT of J&K and the Home Minister for approving the Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir.

Sanjay Aggarwal, President and Baldev Singh Raina, Chairman, Kashmir Chapter, alongwith Rahul Sahai, Chairman Jammu Chapter, PHDCCI issued a statement welcoming the New Industrial Development Scheme for Jammu & Kashmir and said that the Central Sector Scheme will result in employment generation for the youth and thereby socio economic development of the area.

PHD Chamber said that it hopes that the scheme should be able to generate “lakhs of new jobs each year for the next 15 years and in this regard, offers its whole hearted support to propagate the scheme components amongst its members and its effective implementation at the ground roots level.”

“In particular PHDCCI lauds the scheme for its attractiveness and relevance for both small units as well as large investors as also offering lower compliances and covering block levels for balanced growth of the entire UT. The Prime Minister, Ministry of Commerce & Industry , Ministry Of Home Affairs and LG of J&K has come out with a visionary, forward-looking, and far-sighted Policy catering to all segments of business leading J&K to an Atmanirbhar and Investment Hub in the true sense,” the statement reads. “On behalf of PHDCCI and the entire industry fraternity of J&K we thank the Government of J&K administration headed by Manoj Sinha for their proactive approach to boost the economy by releasing the New Industrial Development Scheme of J&K and bringing remarkable reforms and incentives for Investments in J&K.”

“We assure the Prime Minister and Lieutenant Governor, and the Home Minister that PHDCCI will work hand in hand with the Government in the implementation of the policy both heart and in spirit,” said Baldev Singh Raina, Chairman – PHDCCI Kashmir and Rahul Sahai Chairman PHDCCI Jammu.