AC approves transfer of 3188 Kanals for development of IEs across J&K

Srinagar, Jul 26: The Administrative Council which met here under chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved proposals for transfer of different categories of land for development of Industrial Estates (IEs) in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Mandeep K Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor were present in the meeting. A total of 3188 kanals and 8 marlas of land has been transferred to Industries and Commerce Department for the said purpose.
The transferred land parcel includes 114 kanals and 03 marlas of land in district Kupwara, 1000 kanals of land in district Bandipora, 1094 kanals and 16 marlas of land in district Anantnag, 375 kanals and 06 marlas of land in district Pulwama, 240 kanals of land in district Baramulla and 364 kanals and 03 marlas of land in district Budgam. Development of Industrial infrastructures has been a focus area post-2019 and has been considered as main vehicle for accelerating economic activity besides providing employment.
Industries & Commerce Department has come up with various initiatives for setting up industries in the UT of J&K. In order to carry out activities effectively for attracting investment, the main requirement is to make land available to the Industries & Commerce Department. The land transferred thus, shall enable establishing Industrial Estates for overall development of the area and creation of various employment opportunities.
The Administrative Council also approved amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Land Allotment Policy 2021-30.
While firming up the changes, the Industries and Commerce Department has included views and comments from stakeholders for effectiveness in updation of existing policy. Based upon feedbacks, amendments have been incorporated to elucidate different clauses of the existing policy with a view to provide simplification of processes and efficiency in land allotments. Periodic revision of lease premium, wide publicity for inviting applications, allotment of land on competitive merit basis, analysis of applicant/promoter/companies background including qualification and experience, sector specific evaluation criteria for sector specific allotments, functions and jurisdiction of land allotment committees, timelines for restoration of cancelled allotments etc have been provided in the amendments to the policy.
To encourage large investments having strategic importance to economy of UT, Government may allot land on preferential basis to mega projects viz. industrial/service sector units with minimum capital investment (excluding land and working capital) of at least Rs. 4000 crores.
The amendments shall ensure equity and transparency amongst applicants. The amendments in the Jammu & Kashmir Industrial Land Allotment Policy, 2021-30 shall help in realizing large investments and this will be a fillip to employment generation in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir.