For a comprehensive development of Jammu and Kashmir,the Confederation of Indian Industry is preparing five policy papers on the crucial sectors of power,communication,tourism,health and education. The state government had sought the industry body's help in this regard and a CII delegation coveyed this to the state government here recently. The state government sees power as the crucial sector for economic and industrial development,and is keen to utilize the rich hydel potential of the state. Officials said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had underlined reforms in power transmission and distribution as a priority area. The state government has sought the support of CII in implementing a blueprint for the North-South and East-West corridor in the Kashmir Valley to improve connectivity and upgrade road communication. It has also sought the CII's cooperation in a four-lane national highway project from Jammu to Srinagar. The state has also sought support of CII in the development of healthcare facilities in the state under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The government is keen to upgrade and extend healthcare facilities across the state. "This is the sector where CII can render its extra-ordinary support to the state," the officials said. The state government has constituted a task force on the upgradation of health facilities in the state,they said. The government has asked the CII to help in building a strong campaign for showcasing the geographical indication (GI) status of 'Pashmina' and its branding. The GI status means the word 'Pashmina' is only associated with Kashmir and no one else can claim to produce Pashmina. The state government has also decided to put in place a mechanism to place a chip number with every Pashmina product to be produced in the Valley. The CII would also be helping in the skill-development programme as a large number of talented youth could be trained for the job market. Addressing a joint meeting of the officials and the CII team yesterday,Chief Secretary S S Kapur stressed the importance of developing region- and area-specific skills in view of the varied agro-climatic conditions. He said skill development should be in tune with area-centric industrial potential. The state government is keen to constitute a infrastructure development board in the state and has asked the CII to provide input in this regard.
