PHDCCI Jammu & HRA Katra Chairman Meets Deputy Chief Minister; Submits Memorandum for Revival of Industry & Tourism in J&K
Jammu,Dec. 22, 2025: Chair, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PHDCCI), Jammu Region Chapter and President, Hotel & Restaurant Association (HRA), Katra, Rakesh Wazir today met Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir and Minister Incharge of Industries & Commerce, PWD, Mining, Labour & Employment,Skill Development and allied departments. During the meeting, a detailed memorandum was submitted highlighting key issues and suggestions for the revival and sustenance of Trade, Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly the Jammu region.
While speaking Mr.Choudhary said that their government is committed to strengthening industry and tourism as engines of growth and employment in Jammu & Kashmir and every effort would be made for that.
Rakesh Wazir informed Mr.Choudhary that PHDCCI Jammu Region Chapter and HRA Katra have jointly prepared a comprehensive proposal seeking a rehabilitation and sustenance package for industry, including the service and tourism sectors. The memorandum also highlights the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in establishing and operating businesses in the Union Territory.
A key demand raised was the extension of the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS), which expired on 30th September 2024. Wazir stressed that the scheme played a vital role in attracting investments and should be extended with special focus on local entrepreneurs. He suggested inclusion of renovation and modernization of hotels, upgradation of existing industrial units and incorporation of the “Substantial Expansion” provision of the Industrial Package 2017.
The memorandum emphasized prioritizing investments that strengthen tourism infrastructure, such as large hotels, universities, hospitals, medical colleges, hotel management institutes and theme-based restaurants, to promote health, education, adventure and pilgrimage tourism.
Wazir also demanded extension of incentives to existing industry and hotels, including reimbursement of GST to hotels on the pattern of manufacturing industry and restoration of industrial power tariff benefits for hotels, discontinued in March 2019. He further sought extension of all industrial benefits to the tourism sector under the MSME service category through a clear notification.
Highlighting pilgrimage-led tourism, he pointed out that nearly one crore pilgrims visit Shri Mata Vaishno Devi annually and stressed the need to rotate these pilgrims to other tourist and pilgrim destinations to enhance stay duration and economic impact. He cited growth of destinations like Shiv Khori, Patnitop and Bhaderwah and proposed inclusion of more sites across the region.
He also suggested targeted investments such as a light and sound show at Katra, beautification of Mansar Lake, establishment of a heritage museum, planned beautification of Katra town, and early development of identified industrial parks around Katra for non-polluting, pilgrimage-linked industries.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary patiently heard all issues and assured sympathetic consideration. He reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening industry and tourism as engines of growth and employment in Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with industry representatives expressing hope that timely policy measures would lead to sustainable economic revival in the Union Territory.
