8th Ram Sahai Memorial Lecture on “Industrial Policy of J&K” heldon August 27, 2021.

Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) J&K Regional Branch organized the 8th Ram Sahai Memorial Lecture on “Industrial Policy of J&K” in memory of Late Shri Ram Sahai, one of the founding members of the Regional Branch. While implementing the new industrial policy in letter and spirit, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir is committed to build a robust system which is transparent and provides equal opportunity for the all the stakeholders said Sh. RanjanPrakash Thakur, IRTS, Principal Secretary to the Government, Industries & Commerce Department of J&K during the 8th Ram Sahai Memorial Lecture on “Industrial Policy of J&K”. Explaining the contours of the policy, he said that through appropriate interventions J&K aims to become among the top five industrial regions in the country. In this direction, efforts are been made in a time bound manner to leverage technology by making the entire process online with a single window clearance approach. He informed that by the end of September 2021, the entire system shall be in place and the government expects over Rs. 50000 crores of investment commitment by various international and national level corporate houses by March 2022. He further added that special emphasis is being given to the services sector especially in the area of healthcare, tourism and hospitality which will also be spread across all the districts of J&K. Mr.SaswatPattnaik, Manager, Government & Public Sector, Nangia Anderson LLP, New Delhi in his key note address laid out all the features of the new industrial policy and said that the policy is unique in various aspects which no other state in the India offers. He said that the corporate should leverage the policy and bring in investments in Jammu & Kashmir to avail the benefits. Mr. Sanjay Aggrawal, President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, New Delhi while sharing the expectations of the industry said that the effective implementation of the policy will be the key differentiating factor as compared to the past. He emphasized that a hassle free interface should be developed which provides ease of doing business in the region. Dr. Ashok Bhan, IPS (Retd.) and Patron of the IIPA J&K Regional Branch in his address raised concerns about declining proportion of industry in GVA of J&K in the last decade. He believed that the new industry policy will foster economic growth, provided peace and harmony among the civil society across regions is encouraged. Further the industry should avoid disuse of industrial incentives and put in sincere efforts to set up units enabling employment generation for socio-economic growth of the region. He suggested that in the memory of Sh. Ram Sahai, a research fellowship in collaboration with regional universities should be instituted for encouraging industry – oriented research. Sh. B.R Sharma, IAS (Retd), Chairman, PSC and Chairman, IIPA, JKRB in his presidential address expressed optimism that the new industry policy will be the game changer and help the stakeholders of the UT of Jammu & Kashmir to exploit new global opportunities in entrepreneurship & employment. He also believed that such opportunities will create an enabling environment for long term sustainable peace and development in the region. Earlier, Sh. Vikrant Kuthiala, Hony Treasurer IIPA JKRB paid rich tributes to Sh. Ram Sahai and recollected his immense contribution to the growth of IIPA in J&K and the region in totality. ShriK.B.Jandial, IAS (Retd), Director Seminars, IIPA J&K Regional Branch formally welcomed the audience, introduced the speakers and moderated the programme. Sh. Rahul Sahai , Chairman Sahai Group Of Companies , Past Chairman of CII, Chairman of PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Jammu) and Chairman of Transport Nagar Association moderated the discussion round and also presented the formal vote of thanks. It is pertinent to mention that IIPA, JKRB organizes Sh. Ram Sahai Memorial Lecture every year in the memory of Late Shri Ram Sahai, who was one of the founding members of the Regional Branch and a prominent industrialist of J&K.The virtual webinar was attended by over 100 people from industry, trade, civil society, academicians and office bearers, executive committee members of IIPA and important stakeholders including ShNeerajAnand Vice President CAIT , ShArun Gupta President CCI Jammu ,ShRakesh Gupta former President CCI Jammu , Sh. LalitMahajan Chairman BBIA , Sh. RavnishGulati Chairman CII J&K , Sh Sanjay Bansal Chairman Federation of All India Vyaparmandal , ShPradeepGandotra Chairman Civil Society Jammu , Sh. Sheikh Ashiq President CCI Kashmir ,ShMushtaqChaya Mentor PHDCCI Kashmir , Sh. SatishKaul, President Pharma industries, Sh. AnnilSuri and other prominent citizens of the UT.