INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Though the state is comparatively backward in the industrial sector,
there has been steady progress in the development of the small-scale
sector, for which there is tremendous scope.
Jammu and Kashmir small -scale Industries Development Corporation
Ltd was started in 1975. The main objective of the corporation is
to aid council, assist, finance, promote, and protect the interest of small-scale industrial units in the state .
J&K industrial and technical consultancy organisation Ltd was set up in April
1997 as a subsidiary of Industrial Development Bank of India. The prime
objective of J&K ITCO is to provide a package of consultancy service
to tiny, small and medium scale industrial units, both existing and
prospective as well as to render assistance to various state-level banks and institutions.
Some of the
industries in the area include Hindustan Lever
synthetic detergent plant, New Joinery Mill, cigarette
factory and concrete factory at Bari-Brahamana
industrial complex at Jammu.
Backward and hilly areas are receiving special attention
with regard to the development of handloom weaving, leather tanning, and other local crafts. Trainees from these areas are
receiving loans of Rupees 2000 each for installation of looms. Their marketing
problem are taken care of by the J&K small-scale Industrious
Development Corporation. Carpet exports alone, earned for the
country a foreign exchange of Rupees 13.20 crores in 1994-95.
Sericulture is one of the oldest industrious in the state. There are two big
silk factories, one in Srinagar and another in Jammu. The major
thrust is the production of quality cocoons for remunerative prices
to the farmers. The Srinagar factory alone, manufactures about 300,000 meters of various
types of silk fabrics, georgette, parachute and suiting. The Government
woolen mills at Srinagar is another established manufacturing unit which has 2,018 woolen
and 1,576 worsted spindles.
Handicrafts, being the traditional industry of the state, has been
receiving top priority in view of its large employment potential and also demand
of handicraft goods both within and outside the country . Handicraft production
includes mainly papier mache, wood carving, carpets, shawl making, embroidery etc. This
industry particularly in carpets, earns substantial
foreign exchange.
The handloom development corporation is producing woolen items
like tweed, blazer, blankets, shawls, dhusas, kani shawls, etc.
The setting up of the Hindustan Machine Tools
Units has been a pace-setter for the large-scale industrialisation
of the state. Both the Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) and Indian Telephone Industries have expanded and diversified their production at Srinagar
- their annual
total production having since crossed Rupees 201 crores. The Jammu region is not
lagging behind. Three rosin and turpentine factories were set up at the
Bari-Brahamana complex in the private sector and also a modernised rosin
and turpentine factory at Miran sahib in the Jammu division. Two slate pencil
manufacturing units and wool combing project were commissioned at Bari -Brahamana.
Industrial activity
is however, mostly concentrated in the two main cities -Srinagar and Jammu - and their surrounding areas. Determined efforts are made
to decentralise industrial growth; this being the guiding principle in
setting up of the district Industrious centre. A scheme for infrastructure
development of industrial units has been formulated for Battal Balian and Udhampur
at a cost of Rupees 5 crores.
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