JAMMU: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar, on Friday chaired the second stakeholders’ consultation meeting on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and the proposed revised Industrial Policy for Jammu and Kashmir at Udyog Bhawan, Jammu.
The meeting was part of the ongoing consultative process aimed at strengthening the Ease of Doing Business framework and finalising a comprehensive Industrial Policy to promote sustainable industrial growth in the Union Territory.
Among those present were Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Vikramjit Singh; Zonal Head, J&K Bank, Ashok Gupta; Director Industries & Commerce, Jammu, Dr. Arun Manhas; Commissioner State Taxes, P.K. Bhat, and other senior officers.
Addressing representatives of industrial and trade associations, Shailendra Kumar stressed the need for a long-term and sustainable approach to industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized the importance of promoting green energy adoption and reducing carbon emissions while pursuing economic growth.
The ACS said that policy measures and regulatory reforms should not only facilitate ease of doing business but also safeguard broader public interests and ensure inclusive economic development.
Highlighting reforms under consideration, he informed stakeholders that besides the existing Single Window System, the government is working on a dedicated Ease of Doing Business Act aimed at streamlining approvals, reducing procedural bottlenecks and eliminating unnecessary delays in obtaining departmental clearances.
The meeting held detailed deliberations on suggestions and recommendations submitted by stakeholders during the previous round of consultations. The discussions focused on incorporating practical reforms and industry-friendly measures into the revised Industrial Policy.
Representatives of various industrial bodies shared their views on regulatory reforms, infrastructure requirements, investment promotion, business facilitation, financial access and policy interventions needed to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s industrial ecosystem.
Prominent industry representatives who attended the meeting included Federation of Industries Jammu Chairman Virender Jain, PHDCCI Jammu Chairman Rakesh Wazir, Assocham J&K Council Chairman Manik Batra, Laghu Udyog Bharti National Executive Member Parveen Pargal, Bari Brahmana Industrial Association President Lalit Mahajan, ICC Chairman Rahul Sahai, FICCI-FLO Chairperson Varsha Bansal, D2C1 India National Chairman M.A. Alim, FADA Chairman Sanjay Agarwal, Small and Tiny Industry President Harvinder Singh and CIC-J&K President Rakesh Sharma, besides several prominent industrialists and senior officials of the Industries and Commerce Department.
The consultation forms part of the government’s broader effort to create a more business-friendly environment, attract investment, promote sustainable industrialisation and accelerate economic growth across Jammu and Kashmir.
