Leh: Asserting that many proactive initiatives have been taken after August 5, 2019, the Director Industries, Ladakh, Sheikh Nazir said that Central Industrial Policy of worth Rs 3300 core is awaiting approval from Government of India (GoI), which will transform industrial sector in the Union Territory.
In an Exclusive conversation with Indus Dispatch, Director Industries, Ladakh, Sheikh Nazir, shared insights about initiatives taken so far to boost the industrial sector in the Union Territory.
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Central Industrial Policy
Sheikh Nazir said that the Ladakh administration has submitted Central Industrial Policy for Union Territory of Ladakh, which is under active consideration of Government of India. “We have submitted a policy of Rs 3300 crore and the same is in final stages,” Sheikh Nazir said.
He added that the policy will largely impact Union Territory as the same will pave way for setting up industries across the Union Territory.
“Under the scheme there is immense incentives on GST as well as other components,” he said.
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Sustain Development policy of Ladakh
He further said that the Ladakh has its own Sustain Development policy of worth Rs 3.83 lakhs. “The same is under progress and will get approval soon,” he said.
The scheme offers immense incentives to new as well as existing units.
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Central Sponsored Schemes
Apart from this, Nazir said that Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS) like Pardhan Mantri Employment Generation scheme are flourishing in the Union Territory.
“More cases are being sanctioned under the scheme as compared to pre-UT period. Last year, we have sanctioned around 270 cases,” he said.
He further informed that earlier people were involved in food process in unorganised manner.
“After the central scheme announced in this regard, we have started work to bring them organised manner as well as they were allowed to avail subsidy of 35 percent of project cost, maximum Rs 10 Lakhs,” he said.
Simultaneously, subsidy of Rs 40,000 were given to self-help groups for establishing machinery.
Motivating Entrepreneurs
He said that the administration is also taking initiatives to motivate entrepreneurs. “Recently, we have organised learning tour for entrepreneurs, who were involved in food processing,” he said adding that they learned state-of-art technology to extract pulp, packing techniques and drying techniques of apricot on their 4 day long tour .
Boosting Industries
Sheikh Nazir said that to boost industrial culture in Ladakh many initiatives were taken. “We have participated in Dubai Expo and displayed our local products like apricot and Pashmina,” he said.
He said that the administration keeps participating in national and international events. “We have received massive response to our products to during outlook event in New Delhi,” he said.
He further said that hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh R K Mathur is interested in promoting industries as well as handloom and handicraft products.
He said that he believes that the incoming time the industrial sector will flourish more in Ladakh
“This year 43 metric tonne of apricot were exported form Ladakh, which is big achievement post August 5
Startup culture
He said that the according to startup chapter in Sustain Development policy of Ladakh. “We have been creating awareness programme in collaboration with other departments,” he said. He added that every possible effort is being made to attract educated youth towards start-up culture.
Initiatives for local products
He said there is no replacement for Ladakhi Pashmina, which is purchased from people through cooperative societies. “In absence of spinning facilities, the majority of raw pashmina is exported outside Ladakh,” he said.
He added that administration has started exercise to set up spinning facilities in Ladakh as well as Pashmina testing Laboratory.
He added that the administration has also applied for Geographical Indications (GI) for Pashmina and apricot. He added after the approval of GI tagging it will get further boost.
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He added that the central Industrial Policy will boost hotel, local and tourism Industry. “The land allotment policy is on final stages and once approved the policy will further boost industrial sector in the Union Territory,” he said.
