While Kashmir takes the spotlight, Jammu, too, has several new projects coming up, especially in the industrial sector since then. These may be significant changes, but are not necessarily a product of abrogation of Article 370.
The Centre came up with New Industrial Policy (NIP) 2021 for Jammu and Kashmir that came into effect 1 April 2021. Launched by L-G Manoj Sinha, the benefits of this policy have been largely drawn by the Jammu region, primarily the districts of Jammu, Kathua and Samba.
Currently, the groundwork of around Rs 20,000 crore worth of industrial units is already underway that have come up in the last three years and are registered under the policy, according to official figures of the J&K government accessed by ThePrint.
A further break reveals that over Rs 16,000 crore worth of investments (or, 80 percent) are in Jammu division alone, while the rest of investment is in Kashmir, which is less than a fifth of overall investment.
”August 2019 changes had little to do with the rise in industries. It is purely this lucrative industrial policy that has given rise to industries in Jammu. Owing to security concerns and increased freight, people prefer their industries in Jammu than Kashmir,” the official said. “However, we are unable to make the most of the employment generated. There is a substantial lack of skilled labour in Jammu because of which people from outside take jobs.”
23/04/2024