Jammu, January 29: Emphasising that unemployment cannot be effectively tackled through government jobs alone, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that Jammu and Kashmir is expecting a substantial industrial incentives package in the forthcoming Union Budget to accelerate industrial growth and strengthen the economic base of the Union Territory.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the Startup Mela at the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) in Samba district, the Chief Minister said that J&K has not received any major central industrial package providing incentives since 1990, and the government is now working closely with the Centre to ensure that a meaningful and effective package is announced.
“Our expectation from the Union Budget is that we receive a good industrial package. Jammu and Kashmir has not not received any central package providing incentives for industry since 1990. We are engaging with the Centre so that J&K gets a substantial and effective incentives package for the development of the industrial sector,” Abdullah said.
The Startup Mela witnessed the disbursement of seed funds to emerging startups, release of capital grants to incubators and felicitation of winners of the idea challenge, reflecting the government’s focus on nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Chief Minister underscored the importance of building a strong startup ecosystem in the Union Territory, describing it as both a compulsion and a responsibility for the government.
“As I have said, unemployment cannot be solved through government jobs alone. Unlike some other states, I cannot simply tell our people to go outside Jammu and Kashmir in search of jobs,” he said, while referring to recent incidents of alleged harassment of Kashmiri shawl sellers in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
“These incidents have shown that our people are now looking more inward rather than going outside. Therefore, it becomes even more important for us to create opportunities within Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
On the revival of sick industrial units, the Chief Minister said that the government would extend all possible assistance to units that are capable of restarting operations.
“If a unit can restart, we will help it. If it cannot, we will help the entrepreneur set up a new business. And if neither is possible, we will take back the land so that it can be allotted to someone else who is willing to set up an industry,” he said.
Highlighting the broader understanding of entrepreneurship, Abdullah said that business innovation is not limited to manufacturing alone. He pointed out that service and technology-based enterprises, such as food delivery platforms, logistics startups and ride-hailing services, have demonstrated how creative business models can transform economies.
He also encouraged young entrepreneurs not to fear failure, describing setbacks as valuable learning experiences. Citing global entrepreneurs who view failure as a stepping stone to success, he said that such a mindset is essential for building a vibrant entrepreneurial culture.
The Chief Minister stressed that identifying startups and providing fearless funding cannot be the sole responsibility of the government. Educational institutions and JKEDI, he said, must be empowered to play a stronger role in mentoring and supporting entrepreneurs.
“For example, the seed capital provision of JKEDI should be expanded so that it can function more effectively. EDI was established precisely to foster an entrepreneurship culture in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He further informed that the government is working to bring significant improvements over the next two to three years, including ensuring that the single-window clearance system becomes fully functional. This, he said, would help reduce bureaucratic delays and save valuable time for entrepreneurs.
When asked about the demand for a Supreme Court-monitored probe into the death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane crash, Abdullah said that senior leader Sharad Pawar has already clarified that it was an accident and that the issue should not be politicised.
“I don’t think I need to say anything more on that,” the Chief Minister added.