Avinash Azad
The Jammu and Kashmir government has identified and earmarked new land banks for the establishment of industrial estates across both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions, responding to concerns raised by MLA Ali Mohammad Dar in the assembly on Saturday.
The government, in its official reply, revealed that in the Kashmir division, a total of 6,745 Kanals and 19 Marlas of land have been transferred for industrial purposes, with an additional 5,000 Kanals and 13 Marlas under indent. Meanwhile, in the Jammu division, 14,956 Kanals and 15 Marlas have been transferred, with an indent for 9,661.05 Marlas placed.
Addressing another key concern, the government affirmed that education and skill development have been included in the focus sector list of the J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30, under Clause 3.14. Additionally, these sectors are part of the Service Sector Positive List under the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) 2021, issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Under the Jammu and Kashmir Start-up Policy, notified via Government Order No 29 JK-(IND) of 2024 on February 23, 2024, 596 applicants have registered, with 436 recognized as startups. Notably, 26 of these startups operate in the Education and Skill Development sector.
Furthermore, several sector-specific industrial estates have been earmarked, including:
-Jammu Division: Education and Skill Development at Meen Charkan Bari Brahmana (1,457 Kanals 04 Marlas), Health and Medical Education in Deeli (153 Kanals) and R.S. Pura (100 Kanals). -Kashmir Division: Health and Medical Education in Medicity Pampore (268.16 Kanals) and Lehar Pulwama (200 Kanals), along with Technical Education and IT in Khonmoh, Pantha Chowk (600 Kanals), and Pampore (100 Kanals). The government reiterated its commitment to promoting industrialization and skill development in J&K, ensuring that highly educated youth have opportunities to establish educational and skill development units under the new policy framework.
