Srinagar: Notwithstanding the crucial role in implementation of the Industrial Policy and giving much needed fillip to the sagging industrial sector by timely overcoming the obstacles, Kashmir electric manufacturing unit holders are crying foul and alleged that they are being given no preference, while the non-local bidders will take the lion’s share.
Due to inordinate coordination of PDD with the heads of these industrialist’s, local electricity manufacturing units in Kashmir have started gathering an impression that industrial development is no more a priority in Jammu and Kashmir.
President, Electric Manufacturing Industry, Nayeem Khan said that, “According to the industrial policy of J&K, previously one third quantity of the material was given to the lowest bidder and the rest of the quantity was distributed among all the SSI units of Jammu and Kashmir, but now 80% quantity quantity is given to lowest bidder and only 20% is distributed to 2nd lowest bidder. Adding that this is a sheer injustice with the local manufacturers.”
“it seems this vital sector is no priority for the Lt Governor’s administration otherwise there was no justification behind ignoring this vital platform”.
“Neither industrial sector has received required impetus nor employment opportunities could be generated for unemployed youth till date and non-availability of major incentives to local industries is the main reason behind this”, Khan said.
“Jammu and Kashmir governments tall claims of uplifting the local industry is a cruel joke by issuing such orders, due to this policy we are on a edge to close our units, with the closure of these units, thousands of educated youth associated with this sector will lose their jobs. The all that we want is to revoke this order and industrial policy to be implemented, ” he added.
“This bidding policy is aimed to force talented industrialist’s to close their units,” said a young industrialist (who wished anonymity), adding that the department has not even released the payment of transformers, which were repaired two years ago. ”
“We have so many issues to highlight like inordinate delay in release of payments by the Power Development Department for the works executed,” Khan said, adding “we were also assured of price-preference and purchase preference by the Government but no follow-up action was ensured”.
Chief engineer PDD, Aijaz Dar when contacted, said that, “The order is as per the finance circular, but we are equally considering local manufacturing unit holders.”
Dar further added that, “I can’t give any reply,” adding that, “we have to go by the rules, we are subordinates to government rules,” he said.
Meanwhile, the electric manufacturing industry unit holdets stressed upon the government to revoke the order as soon as possible.
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