Call for setting up eco-friendly, viable units

Chief Secretary Mr. S. S. Kapur has called for establishing viable and cost-effective income generating units in the private sector for creating employment opportunities for the youth of the State. He stressed that the units should strictly follow the standards of pollution control norms.
Chairing the 25th meeting of the Apex Projects Clearance Committee (APCC) meeting, the Chief Secretary said every effort should be made to encourage the educated youth to take up entrepreneurship in a big way for improving the economic profile of the State.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Mr. Anil Goswami, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey, Commissioner/Secretary, Power, Mr. S. K. Naik, Chairman, Pollution Control Board, Mr. Lal Chand, Managing Director, SFC, Mr. R. K. Koul, Director, Industries and Commerce, Kashmir, Mr. Farooq Ahmad, Managing Director, SIDCO, Mr. B. S. Dua and representatives of J&K Bank.
The Chief Secretary underscored the need for establishing such units which are pollution-free and viable to promote employment opportunities in the State. He asked the Committee to encourage the entrepreneurs for setting up the units by providing them technical guidance and necessary back-up support. He instructed the Committee to submit feasibility report of various mega-business projects under their consideration within 15 days so that they are cleared for final approval.
The meeting accorded approval for setting up of two textile parks at Ghatti in district Kathua and Jammu coming up at the cost of Rs 1.30 crore. These parks will directly create job opportunities for 4,000 persons for which the Chief Secretary asked the Committee for getting certificate of land availability and acquisition rates from the concerned Deputy Commissioners.
The meeting also cleared establishment of two CA stores with a capacity of 3,500 MT and 2,000 MT respectively to be set up by local entrepreneurs in the valley.
Earlier, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, gave a detailed account of the progress of industrialization in the State.  

State Hydel Policy to be revised to attract investors

Stresses on completion of power projects on time  
Identifying the huge potential of J&K in hydro-electric power generation, Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah Wednesday said the State Hydel Policy will be revised to attract investment in power sector. He called for better coordination between different agencies for completion of all power projects in a time-bound manner. 
The Chief Minister said this while chairing a high-level meeting to discuss issues related to Independent Power Producers (IPP), here today. 
Yesterday, the Chief Minister had reduced timeframe for completion of all ongoing projects by one year and stressed the need for indigenous power generation to meet the requirements of the State.  
Financial Commissioner, Planning and Development, Mr. S. L. Bhat, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey and Managing Director, Power Development Corporation, Mr. Bipul Pathak attended today’s meeting. 
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdullah said the State Hydel Policy of 2003 will be revised and made progressive in view of the future requirements of power development in the State. 
Later, the Chief Minister was informed that some of the projects under IPP Phase-1, are awaiting Indus Water Treaty clearances. 
During the meeting, it was decided that Power Development Department will initiate process for drawing up Wheeling and Banking Agreement as well as Power Purchase Agreement with the developer in case of Athwatoo Hydel Project in Bandipora district after remaining clearances are obtained.  

CEC interacts with students, takes shikara ride

Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Navin Chawla, who is currently holidaying in Kashmir, today visited Delhi Public School, here and had an interaction with students. 
Mr. Chawla impressed upon the students the significance of vote and asked them to register themselves as voters when they attain the age of 18 so that they are able to choose government of their choice. He also spoke on criminalization of politics during his interaction with the students. 
Earlier, the Chief Election Commissioner had a shikara ride on the waters of the famous Dal lake. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Rupika Chawla.