Srinagar, March 13 — Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary told the legislative assembly that industries investing in the region must provide employment to local youth.
Responding to BJP MLA Rajiv Jasrotia and NC MLAs Saif-ud-Din Bhat and Mubarak Gul, Choudhary said the Omar Abdullah-led government is committed to creating job opportunities.
“If anyone invests in the industrial sector, they have to employ local youth. We will ensure this,” he said.
He told the House that J&K’s land would not be given to outsiders.
“We want industrial development, but not at the expense of our people,” he said, adding that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had held meetings with industrial stakeholders.
Choudhary acknowledged that the local industry had suffered losses over the past decade, impacting job opportunities for youth, and assured that the government was committed to reversing this trend through the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30, which focuses on manufacturing, IT, agriculture, food processing, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, real estate, and herbal and medicinal plants.
Key incentives under the policy include:
100% subsidy on the purchase and installation of DG sets (up to ₹45 lakh)
Exemption of stamp duty and court fees on land transactions in government industrial estates
25% subsidy on automation and 30% subsidy on machinery procurement
60% subsidy on pollution control devices and 50% subsidy on eco-friendly production technology
100% net SGST reimbursement for eligible units registered under GST as of March 31, 2021, for 10 years
Turnover incentives of 3% for micro units and 2% for small, medium, and large units for five years
Besides, Choudhary announced the establishment of a dedicated entrepreneur and skill development fund to train local youth in business and industry-related skills.
On improving the business environment, he said J&K is implementing reforms under the Industrial Investments and Business Facilitation Act 2018 to streamline regulations, accelerate approvals, and simplify procedures through a single-window system.