Environment Committee led by MLA Terigami reviews industrial issues at BBIA Bari Brahmana
BBIA flags policy delays, seeks urgent incentives during Assembly panel visit
Jammu, December 23: A Committee on Environment of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, headed by Mohammad Yousaf Terigami, today visited the BBIA Bhawan at Bari Brahmana to review environmental and industrial issues affecting the region.
The Committee, comprising four other Hon’ble MLAs, undertook an on-site assessment of the impact of industrial activities and hazardous waste on human health, agriculture, flora and fauna, besides reviewing measures currently in place for maintaining ecological balance and environmental protection. The visiting delegation was accompanied by local MLA Chander Prakash.
Senior officers, including the Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, Chairman Pollution Control Committee, Deputy Commissioner Samba and other officials from concerned departments, were also present during the visit.
Welcoming the Committee, Officiating President of Bari Brahmana Industries Association, Mr. Tarun Singla, presented a detailed account of the challenges being faced by existing industries in Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed that policy delays and uncertainty are adversely affecting industrial sustainability, employment generation and investor confidence.
Mr. Singla strongly advocated for the extension of turnover incentives and working capital interest subvention for existing units, introduction of a road freight subsidy to offset geographical disadvantages, and early announcement of the long-pending Logistics and Warehousing Policy. He also highlighted the need for state and central fiscal incentives for new industrial units as well as existing units undergoing substantial expansion.
Raising concerns over land availability, he pointed out the acute shortage of industrial land for the MSME sector and sought immediate sanction of funds for the upgradation of existing industrial estates. He further called for a time-bound and transparent mechanism for the release of SGST refunds and turnover-based incentives to ease liquidity stress on industries.
The Committee on Environment, led by Hon’ble MLA Mohammad Yousaf Terigami, patiently heard all submissions made by the BBIA leadership and assured that the issues raised would be taken up on priority with the concerned departments for appropriate resolution.
The interaction was attended by BBIA office bearers including Ajay Langer, Vice President; Viraaj Malhotra, General Secretary; Rajesh Jain, Secretary; and Rishi Kant Gupta, Treasurer, along with officials from the District Industries Centre Jammu, J&K SIDCO and the J&K Pollution Control Committee.
