Jammu, March 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has transferred over 21,702 Kanals of land to the Industries and Commerce Department for the establishment of new industrial estates across the Union Territory. Furthermore, requests for an additional 14,661 Kanals have been placed to expand industrial infrastructure and boost economic development.
Surinder Choudhary, Minister Incharge of Industries and Commerce, revealed these details in the Legislative Assembly while responding to a starred question raised by National Conference legislator Ali Mohammad Dar regarding the government’s efforts in identifying and earmarking land banks for industrial expansion.
The Minister outlined the division-wise allocation of transferred land:
- Jammu Division: 14,956 Kanals and 15 Marlas
- Kashmir Division: 6,745 Kanals and 19 Marlas
Additionally, he noted that a further 14,661 Kanals and 18 Marlas of land are being processed for transfer, including 9,661.05 Kanals in Jammu and 5,000 Kanals and 13 Marlas in Kashmir.
Education and Skill Development in Industrial Policy
When questioned about the inclusion of education as an eligible sector under the J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30, the Minister affirmed that Education and Skill Development are among the focus sectors identified in the policy. He further highlighted that these sectors also feature in the service sector positive list of 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.
In an effort to extend benefits of the industrial policy to highly educated youth aiming to establish education and skill development ventures, the J&K Start-Up Policy has so far registered 596 applicants, out of which 436 have been officially recognized as Start-Ups. Of these, 26 applicants are specifically engaged in the Skill Development and Education sector.
Designated Industrial Estates for Education and Healthcare
The government has also set up several sector-specific industrial estates, focusing on Education, Skill Development, Health, and Medical Education. The following estates have been designated for specific industries:
Jammu Division:
- Meen Charkan, Bari Brahamana: 1,457 Kanals and 4 Marlas for Education and Skill Development.
- Deeli, Jammu: 153 Kanals designated for Health and Medical Education.
- Miran Sahib, RS Pura: 100 Kanals dedicated to Health and Medical Education.
Kashmir Division:
- Sempora, Medicity, Pampore, Srinagar: 268.16 Kanals for Health and Medical Education.
- Medicity Lelhar, Pulwama: 200 Kanals dedicated to Health and Medical Education.
- Khonmoh, Phase-IV, Pantha Chowk, Srinagar: 600 Kanals for Technical Education, IT, and IT-enabled Services (IT/ITeS).
- Government Joinery Mills, Pampore: 100 Kanals for Technical Education, IT, and IT/ITeS.
- Rakh Gund Aksha, Bemina, Srinagar: 750 Kanals designated as a Health and Medical Education (Medicity) & Technical Education and IT/ITeS industrial estate.
These steps align with the J&K administration’s vision to diversify the industrial landscape by promoting education, skill development, healthcare, and IT-related industries alongside traditional industrial sectors. The government aims to create employment opportunities, enhance the local economy, and attract investment through these specialized industrial hubs.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to industrial growth, economic revitalization, and employment generation, ensuring that the UT’s youth, entrepreneurs, and investors benefit from these initiatives.