Jammu and Kashmir Industries and Commerce Minister S S Slathia has called for expeditious implementation of industrial projects in the state,underlining that targets should be achieved at any cost. "A whopping amount of Rs 122 crore is available as annual plan for the industries sector,which should be spent in full so that a congenial industrial atmosphere is nurtured in the state," Slathia said at a review meeting of departments falling under the Industries and Commerce Ministry. He said promotion of industries was a better solution to address the burgeoning unemployment problem and achieve economic prosperity. The minister warned the officers of stringent action in case they fail to achieve physical and financial targets. He called for full utilisation of the funds available for development of industries. "Performance with regard to achieving physical as well as financial targets shall be reflected in the Annual Performance Reports (APR) of the concerned officer," Slathia added. Pointing out that the working season in most areas of the state is limited due to difficult winter conditions,the minister stressed on the need for officers of the department to work double shifts during the available window to achieve physical and financial targets. "In order to encourage industrialisation in the state,about Rs 3 crore is being provided as a package of incentives among various industrialists during the current fiscal,while Rs 50 lakh shall be expended for rehabilitation of sick units," he said. The minister was informed that 368 industrial units have been rendered sick during last 20 years,out of which soft loans have been sanctioned in favour of 59 units by the State Level Rehabilitation Council (SLRC).
