Jammu: Federation of Industries Jammu (FoIJ) has demanded establishment of Food Park for the MSME sector in the State.

Chairman, of the Federation of Industries, Jammu Lalit Mahajan along with Ajay Langer, General Secretary, BBIA and Viraaj Malhotra Secretary/ Treasurer, BBIA attended one day “Conclave on Agriculture & Food Processors” which was organized by Associate Chambers of Commerce & Industries of India (ASSOCHAM) at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology.

During his key note address to the audience including farmers & students, Mahajan highlighted the scope of Food Processing Industry in Jammu province for which it is the need of the hour to establish Mega Food Park in RS Pura, Kathua, Samba, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda & Udhampur districts to provide the opportunities for the setting up units to the local youths under MSME Sector on the basis of availability of raw materials available in these areas with the help of NABARD and Ministry of MSME, Govt of India.

A power point presentation was also given by Lalit Mahajan in respect of ample scope for setting up Food Processing Industry in Jammu province by highlighting the road blocks for the growth of Food Processing Industry in the State which includes Negative list for the Food Processing Industries which includes edible oil, roasted ground nuts & other industries as per the notification issued by J&K Finance Department keeping certain items of raw material & finished products of food processing industries, lack of marketing support, non availability of requisite funds under credit guarantee scheme of Govt and other related factors.

It was pointed out that no Food Park has been established in Jammu province till date in spite of the fact that Central Govt assistance through NABARD & MSME Ministry is available but due to casual approach of the Govt departments no action has been taken till date.

(FoIJ) demanded for the setting up of Food Park in Jammu region for which land already available in Ghati Industrial area in Kathua. He requested Industries and Commerce Minister Chander Parkash to intervene in to the matter and issue necessary instructions to J & K SIDCO who is also nodal agency for the promotion of Food Processing Industry in the State.

Source: dailyexcelsior.com

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