Srinagar, Oct 06 (KNO): Asserting that the government is exploring ways to revive Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in Jammu and Kashmir, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday said there is no proposal to shut down any PSU in the Union Territory, making it clear that the Omar Abdullah-led government has no such policy.
Talking to reporters here Dy CM, Choudhary as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said PSUs are a part of J&K’s heritage and their financial losses should be examined to determine the reasons behind the deficit and fix accountability.
“Why should PSUs be shut down? We will have to find the causes. We will have to find the reasons. How did the PSU go into a deficit? The officers who put it in a deficit should be held accountable. The leaders who put it in a deficit should be held accountable,” he said.
He said the practice of shutting down PSUs should not continue and that the government must instead find ways to run them. “There is no policy of Omar Abdullah led Government to shut down any PSU,” he said, adding that committees have been constituted to examine the functioning of certain units and explore whether and how they could be revived.
Choudhary also highlighted the products displayed at the Jammu and Kashmir Industries (JKI) showroom at the Government Silk Weaving Factory in Rajbagh, saying the quality of local products could compete with major brands if they were properly marketed.
“These are the things that are our heritage, they should buy,” he said, while emphasising the need to explore avenues to promote such products.
On the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report concerning PSUs, the Deputy Chief Minister said the findings would be examined before arriving at a conclusion. “The report has come, CAG’s report has come. We will see what is there and what is not. There will be a discussion on it, there will be a debate. After that, we will come to a conclusion,” he said.
‘RS 28,400-CR INDUSTRIAL PACKAGE’
On concerns raised by industrialists over the implementation of the rupees 28,400-crore New Industrial Policy announced in 2021, Choudhary said the government was examining the utilisation of the package and the concerns raised by industrial associations.
He said the new industrial policy of the J&K Government was at the final stage and would seek to address shortcomings in the previous policy.
“Whatever was the discrimination in that industry policy, or there was a pick and choose, now our effort is that those bottlenecks where there were some lapses, they should be plugged somewhere and people should get the benefit of the industry policy in the right way,” he said.
Choudhary said the Industries Department had worked extensively on the new policy and that the concerns raised by industrialists were also being taken into consideration.
“If people were not happy with the previous industry policy, that is why we are bringing a new industry policy,” he said, adding that the government’s effort was to ensure that the shortcomings of the past were not repeated.
‘ON ECI, VOTER LISTS’
Asked about the protest against the Election Commission of India (ECI), Choudhary said the matter was already before the Supreme Court and that the developments surrounding voter lists had become a major issue of discussion.
He said the allegations and issues raised by the two Election Commissioners had also become a matter of national debate. “If the voter lists have been tampered with, then? Because now the Supreme Court has taken notice of this. The result will come out,” he said.
Choudhary said democracy and constitutional rights had been achieved after sacrifices by people across communities and asserted that no attempt to divide the country on religious lines could succeed. “This country is not going to fight. Because under the foundation of this country, every nation has made sacrifices,” he said.
‘HITS OUT AT BJP, PDP’
On criticism from the opposition over the performance of the Omar Abdullah government, Choudhary hit out at the BJP and PDP, questioning their participation and conduct in the Legislative Assembly. “When we talk there, the resolution that they give outside, they have started giving the same resolution inside,” he said.
He also questioned the opposition parties over their performance and asked them to account for their own role in the Assembly.
‘FOUNDATION STONE LAID AT SILK FACTORY’
Earlier, Choudhary laid the foundation stone for construction of a Café House and renovation of the existing Guest House at the Government Silk Weaving Factory, Rajbagh, a unit of Jammu and Kashmir Industries Limited (JKI).
The project is being executed by the J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (JK SICOP) and is aimed at improving the premises, creating additional facilities for visitors and stakeholders and generating additional revenue for JKI.
MLA Lal Chowk Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed Pardesi, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjit Singh and senior officers were present on the occasion.
During his visit, Choudhary inspected the JKI showroom, which displayed products made from mulberry silk and local wool. He appreciated the quality and design of the products and stressed the importance of preserving traditional skills, particularly those associated with Kashmiri mulberry silk.
He directed JKI officials to work with dedication, improve production and enhance sales, while promoting local crafts for economic growth and employment generation.
MLA Pardesi stressed the importance of preserving and upgrading the infrastructure of the Government Silk Weaving Factory, while Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Vikramjit Singh said employees play a vital role in shaping the future of any organisation and urged JKI employees to work with integrity and responsibility.
Managing Director JKI, Managing Director JKSICOP, Director Finance and Director Planning of the Industries and Commerce Department, besides other senior officers, were also present—(KNO)