Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his government’s commitment to addressing challenges faced by local industries during an event organized by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI). The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary, senior ministers, and industry leaders.
Omar Abdullah acknowledged the long-standing issues affecting J&K’s industrial sector, compounded by its transition to a Union Territory. He stressed the region’s unique geographical constraints, including a limited market and reliance on imported raw materials, highlighting the need for continuous government support.
He criticized the over-reliance on industrial packages, stating that only industries rooted in local communities would ensure lasting growth. He also addressed lease-related challenges for schools and hotels, calling for urgent solutions to prevent disruptions in operations.
Regarding tourism, Abdullah emphasized the untapped potential of Jammu’s cultural heritage and called for promoting Dogra culture, local cuisine, and tourist destinations. He proposed leveraging Vaishno Devi’s annual pilgrim influx, suggesting that redirecting even 15% of visitors to other local attractions could significantly boost tourism.
He announced plans to revive the Darbar Move, a tradition that brought administrative offices and officials from Srinagar to Jammu for six months each year. The CM noted its economic and social benefits for Jammu’s local economy and pledged to resume it.
In his concluding remarks, Omar Abdullah urged JCCI members to submit a detailed list of their concerns, promising to raise them with the GovernmDent of India and work toward tangible solutions for the region’s industrial and business community.
