RailEnquiry

Chief minister Omar Abdullah has said the central government should announce a rail coach factory in Jammu and Kashmir as it has done for Punjab to compensate the state for economic loss caused on account of militancy."Militancy affected us deeply. We have undergone tremendous downward dip in economy, the progress of the state came to a standstill, thousands of youth were rendered jobless and trade and industries received a serious jolt," he said, adding that Jammu and Kashmir was injured to protect the country. The chief minister was speaking at SMEs seminar on 'Building Capacities for Sustainable Growth' in Jammu and Kashmir organised by ASSOCHAM, India, here.He said this truth needs to be borne in mind when the question of extending support to Jammu and Kashmir arises. He strongly advocated recognition of this status of Jammu and Kashmir and extending central support to it for development and growth on this ground."Do not take us on the par with other states. We have been on forefront to safeguard the country. We have sacrificed for the nation. Do not place us in the category of hill states when the question of extending help to Jammu and Kashmir arises," he emphasised.The CM said the state had witnessed outside business houses coming with the announcement of industrial package by the Centre and state governments and disappearing as the concessions disappear.

"I understand that industrialists are business minded and their goal is to derive commercial benefits but showing presence for taking advantage of packages and leaving corporate sector's social responsibility behind makes a picture grim," he said.

The chief minister added that his government had focused on the growth and uplift of local entrepreneurs and development of the MSME sector.

"Small unit holders are receiving concentrated attention of the government to help them grow on their own feet and attain new highs in the field. He said total dependence of MSME sector on government procurement and concessions in a way puts hurdles in their growth and development.

Omar Abdullah said industrial unit holders should not entirely depend on these two factors but explore free market for sustainable growth.

He ensured full support of the government to local industrialists in this regard. "The dependence on concessions and government procurement puts you at risk on the business planet," he said, adding that "if these two are not available your business will be at serious risk".