SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday directed the Industries and Commerce Department to expedite assessments and rehabilitation measures for stressed Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Jammu and Kashmir, with a focus on reviving 6,576 units identified as recoverable.
Chairing a review meeting on the functioning of the J&K MSME Health Clinic, a digital initiative aimed at monitoring and supporting MSMEs, Dulloo called for faster field visits and strengthening of Small Business Development Units (SBDUs) to improve assessment, handholding and follow-up of industrial units.
He directed the department to complete diagnostic profiling and prepare revival plans for all identified recoverable units, stressing the need for regular monitoring and follow-up of recommendations emerging from the Health Clinic.
According to officials, the MSME Health Clinic is currently monitoring 3,42,261 registered MSMEs across the Union Territory. Of these, 2,94,014 units have undergone diagnostic assessment, with 2,87,332 units, or 97.7 per cent, found to be stable.
The assessment identified 6,682 units requiring intervention, including 6,576 classified as recoverable and 106 considered prone to chronic sickness. Another 48,247 units have been referred to J&K Bank for data correction to improve the accuracy of assessments.
Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Vikramjit Singh informed the meeting that district-level core teams had been established across all districts to strengthen implementation of the programme. Each SBDU includes officials from District Industries Centres (DICs), the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), consultants and other members.
Officials said 60 additional consultants are being deployed to strengthen SBDUs, with 10 already posted and the recruitment process for the remainder underway.
The meeting was informed that field teams have conducted 581 factory visits and prepared 317 diagnostic reports. Of these, 34 rehabilitation cases have received approval from District Level Advisory Committees (DLACs).
On the financial support front, officials said 700 loans restructured by J&K Bank are being analysed to assess the need for further intervention and align assistance with recommendations emerging from the Health Clinic.
The review also examined digital tools developed for the initiative, including an action-tracking portal and an AI-powered chatbot designed to improve monitoring and coordination among stakeholders.
Dulloo said the Health Clinic should function as a mechanism for early diagnosis, rehabilitation and sustained monitoring of MSMEs, adding that its success would depend on translating assessments into tangible outcomes for enterprise sustainability and industrial growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, directors of Industries and Commerce and Handloom and Handicrafts departments, representatives of the Indian Institute of Management Jammu, J&K Bank and other senior officials.
