JAMMU INDUSTRIES VOICE RESENTMENT

The recent joint meeting of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Jammu and the Federation of Industries Jammu has once again thrown light on a long-festering grievance—the repeated neglect of Jammu’s industrial base by Parliamentary Standing Committees on Commerce. The latest visit of the committee, led by Dola Sen and comprising several parliamentarians, restricted itself to the Kashmir Valley, bypassing Jammu entirely. This selective engagement has triggered strong resentment among Jammu’s industry stakeholders, who believe that their voices are deliberately excluded, even though the majority of functional industrial units are concentrated in the region.

This exclusion is not a one-off instance but rather a recurring pattern that reflects structural inequities in the way industrial concerns are represented. For years, parliamentary delegations and central policy consultations have chosen Kashmir as their primary focus, while Jammu’s struggles have largely remained on the margins. Such repeated sidelining undermines the credibility of policy oversight and leaves an impression that development narratives are being shaped through selective visibility rather than inclusive engagement. The socio-economic implications of this exclusion are serious. Industries in Jammu are grappling with shrinking incentives, rising production costs, power shortages, and a lack of logistical support. Many units, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, are teetering on the verge of closure. At a time when industrial growth is being touted as a cornerstone of economic revival in the Union Territory, leaving out the region that hosts the bulk of manufacturing units is counterproductive. The failure to listen to Jammu’s stakeholders not only stifles entrepreneurship but also risks triggering large-scale unemployment and weakening the economic balance of the UT. The politics of industrial visibility is also at play here. By privileging Kashmir in consultative visits, the impression is created that the Valley alone deserves policy attention, while Jammu is merely expected to manage its struggles quietly. This approach not only ignores ground realities but also fosters a sense of marginalization among entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to the UT’s GDP. Industrialists argue, with reason, that policy neglect has already eroded their competitiveness and diminished investor confidence. If remedial steps are not taken, the survival of many units will be in jeopardy, further widening the gap between promises and outcomes. It is equally important to highlight that Jammu’s resentment is not rooted in rivalry but in a genuine demand for equitable treatment. Successive governments in J&K have historically acknowledged the importance of Jammu’s industries, yet at the level of parliamentary oversight, this acknowledgment seems to vanish. Industry representatives rightly stress that committees cannot form a holistic understanding of the region’s industrial landscape by listening to only one side. For policy to be effective, consultations must reflect the diversity of experiences, challenges, and opportunities across the Union Territory. The larger issue is about fairness in governance. Balanced representation is a cornerstone of democratic functioning. Ignoring Jammu at this critical juncture, when industries are already under stress, is a costly mistake. Equitable policy engagement is not merely a demand but a necessity for stability, employment generation, and balanced regional development. By failing to hear Jammu’s grievances, the Centre risks alienating a community of entrepreneurs who have been at the forefront of economic activity despite facing multiple odds. It is here that the intervention of J&K’s representatives in Parliament becomes crucial. Leaders in power must ensure that Jammu’s industrial concerns are brought directly to the attention of parliamentary committees. Their voices carry weight in shaping agendas and can ensure that future visits include Jammu, thereby restoring faith among entrepreneurs who feel abandoned. The way forward lies in recalibrating the approach to industrial consultations. Every visit by Parliamentary Standing Committees must be designed to cover both regions, with time and attention given to the distinct challenges each faces. Acknowledging Jammu’s hardships, providing a platform for local industrialists, and ensuring their inclusion in policymaking will not only address present grievances but also set the foundation for a more balanced and inclusive industrial policy.

Jammu’s industries are not seeking privilege; they are seeking parity. They do not demand special favours but insist on being heard, acknowledged, and supported. Ignoring them is not only unjust but also economically unsustainable. The time has come for the committees, policymakers, and leaders to correct this imbalance. In the long run, the health of Jammu’s manufacturing sector is not a regional issue but a national concern, for it directly ties into employment, investment, and the broader project of equitable development in Jammu and Kashmir.