Industrial Push in J&K: 1,600 Units Allotted Land, Rs 657.83 Cr Incentives Released
Govt tells Assembly policies aimed at boosting investment and youth employment
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said its industrial policies are gaining ground, with more than 1,600 industrial units allotted land in various industrial estates and financial assistance released to entrepreneurs to promote investment and employment in the Union Territory.
The information was disclosed in the Legislative Assembly in reply to a starred question raised by MLA Shamim Firdous regarding allotment of land and financial assistance to youth for establishing industrial units.
According to the Industries and Commerce Department, under the J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30, a total of 1,611 units have been allotted 9,451.12 kanals of land across Jammu and Kashmir. Of these, 675 units were allotted land by J&K SIDCO covering 6,462.5 kanals, while 936 units were allotted land by J&K SICOP involving 2,989.7 kanals.
Under the earlier Industrial Policy 2016, 691 units were allotted 2,695.2 kanals of land, including 467 units through SIDCO and 224 through SICOP. The government said the policies were framed to create a conducive industrial ecosystem, improve ease of doing business and attract private investment in the region.
The House was informed that the Government of India has also introduced special packages to accelerate industrialisation in J&K. Under the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS-2021), the department received 3,973 claims, out of which 3,165 claims were approved and Rs 657.83 crore was disbursed to entrepreneurs till January 15, 2026.
Similarly, under the Industrial Development Scheme (IDS-2017), 293 claims were approved and incentives amounting to over Rs 106 crore were provided. The government also extended support under the J&K Industrial Policy 2021-30 for DG sets, lab testing equipment, pollution control devices and turnover incentives, covering 2,784 cases.
Highlighting employment generation, the government said self-employment schemes are also contributing significantly. Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme between 2016-17 and 2020-21, 89,616 units were established and margin money assistance of about Rs 1,848 crore was disbursed, creating an employment potential of around 7.16 lakh jobs.
The government said the combined effect of the industrial policies and central incentive schemes is aimed at shifting youth towards entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities. “These initiatives seek to promote industrial growth, improve ease of doing business and generate employment opportunities for youth across Jammu and Kashmir,” the government said in its written reply in the Assembly.
