Laghu Udyog Bharati J&K Unveils New Team, Seeks Extension and Expansion of Industrial Incentives from Centre
Jammu, June 30:
Laghu Udyog Bharati Jammu & Kashmir convened a pivotal working committee meeting in Jammu today, marking a significant milestone in its organizational and industrial advocacy efforts. The meeting was graced by Arvind Dhumal, National Vice President and North Zone Prabhari, as the chief guest, and Anju Bajaj, National Joint Secretary and Prabhari for J&K, as the guest of honour. They were accompanied by Vikrant Sharma, in charge of the national membership drive.
At the outset, the new working committee of Laghu Udyog Bharati J&K for the term 2025–27 was formally announced. Parveen Pargal took charge as President, with Dinesh Gupta as Senior Vice President, Fiaz Ahmed Bhat and Ankit Gupta as Vice Presidents, and Aagam Jain as General Secretary. The team also includes Pranav Gupta and Mukul Mahajan as Joint General Secretaries; Rohit Verma and Rajeev Gupta as Secretaries; Ishant Gupta as Secretary (Finance); Rajinder Sadotra as Joint Secretary (Finance); and Mohit Abrol as Convenor for Bari Brahmana.
During the proceedings, President Parveen Pargal submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the national dignitaries, raising urgent concerns regarding the industrial landscape in Jammu & Kashmir. He drew attention to the approaching closure of the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS), launched on April 1, 2021, and valid until September 30, 2024. Pargal stressed that failure to extend, enhance, and reserve incentives under this package could adversely impact ongoing and upcoming industrial ventures in the region.
Highlighting the inadequacy of the existing Rs. 28,400 crore NCSS package—spread over 16 years (2021–2037) with an annual average of Rs. 1,800 crore—Pargal argued that this allocation falls short of the region’s expansive development requirements. He pointed out that the short window of implementation has largely benefited immediate investors, undermining the scheme's long-term objectives. Despite three years of the scheme's existence, many start-ups and new entrepreneurs remain burdened by bureaucratic hurdles and delays, especially in land allotments. Investors from the 2021 batch are still awaiting possession even after fulfilling financial obligations.
Furthermore, Pargal raised concerns over the disproportionate benefits granted to large industrial units, which has marginalized small investors. To rectify this imbalance, he proposed a major increase in the total incentive amount under the scheme to ₹1 lakh crore. He further recommended a structured allocation—50% for MSMEs, 25% for the service sector (especially tourism), and 25% for large industries—to ensure holistic industrial growth in the Union Territory.
He demanded parity in treatment between existing and new industries under NCSS, including uniform GST-linked incentives. Pargal highlighted that turnover-based incentives, which were introduced to replace earlier benefits such as 100% state tax remission and toll/CST exemptions, have been disbursed only partially (10–12%) for 2021–22, with pending claims for 2022–23 and 2023–24 still awaiting resolution. This, he warned, has deeply shaken the confidence of industrialists and is jeopardizing business viability.
He called for immediate disbursal of pending claims, strict implementation of purchase preference provisions under the MSME Act 2006, and equitable distribution of government orders—suggesting one-third be awarded to the lowest bidder on GeM and two-thirds routed through agencies for local industry distribution. Delayed payments, pending since 2017 for supplies made through government departments and SICOP, were also brought to attention, along with repeated denials of SGST refunds over minor technicalities like delayed filings.
Apart from industrial concerns, Pargal also proposed setting up a leopard reserve in Raika Forest to boost eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation. He reiterated the longstanding demand for an IT park in Jammu to curb student migration and foster local employment. Additionally, he advocated for the establishment of private universities offering medical, engineering, and management programs under state legislation, turning J&K into an educational hub.
In his keynote address, Arvind Dhumal praised the J&K team’s dedicated efforts and assured that the issues raised would be escalated to higher authorities. He especially promised to raise the demand for the extension of NCSS with the Union Minister of Industries and Commerce.
Anju Bajaj lauded the team’s commitment and guaranteed full cooperation from the national headquarters, affirming that the challenges faced by local industrialists would be duly presented to the Ministry of Commerce. Senior RSS leader Abhay Pargal, who also addressed the gathering, emphasized the urgent need for policy reform in land allotments to catalyze industrial growth in the Jammu region.
Representing the Kashmir Valley, Fiaz Ahmed Bhat highlighted the acute infrastructural deficits hampering industrial operations and requested a dedicated industrial policy for Kashmir, along with stable power supply as a foundational requirement for industrial revival.
The event proceedings were efficiently conducted by General Secretary Aagam Jain, while a heartfelt vote of thanks was delivered by Senior Vice President Dinesh Gupta. The meeting concluded on a high note, with participation from several notable members and industrialists including Rajinder Gupta, Arun Sharma (Kathua), Rajesh Gupta, Rakesh Gupta, and Towqir Ahmed Tantray—whose active involvement contributed to the session's success and strategic significance.
