Srinagar, Feb 10: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that the Industrial Policy 2021-30 is aimed not only at industrial growth and investment but also at generating employment opportunities, particularly for unemployed and educated youth across the Union Territory.

In a written reply to a question by MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly, as per news agency JKNS, The government said that the Industrial Policy 2021-30 places special emphasis on job creation for youth by enabling access to incentives through transparent online registration, time-bound approvals, and sector-neutral entry, subject to eligibility conditions.

It said that incentives such as capital support, interest subvention, GST-linked benefits, and land facilitation have significantly reduced entry barriers for first-generation entrepreneurs and young industrial aspirants.

To further expand outreach, the government said it is undertaking district-level awareness programmes, industry-academia linkages, startup and skilling initiatives, and facilitation through District Industries Centres and online single-window systems. Special focus is also being laid on incubation support, mentoring, and hand-holding of new applicants.

“These measures ensure that youth across the UT of J&K are able to participate meaningfully in industrial growth, while employment creation continues to expand in a sustainable manner,” the reply said.

Giving details of implementation status, the government informed the House that under the NCSS-2021, a total of 3,973 claims have been received so far, of which 3,165 claims have been approved, and an amount of ₹657.83 crore has been disbursed to entrepreneurs by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Government of India.

Under the IDS-2017, the government said 293 claims have been approved, with incentives amounting to ₹10,677.01 lakh disbursed. This includes 218 claims under CIIAC, 40 under CCII, and 35 under CII components.

Meanwhile, under the J&K Industrial Policy 2021–30, incentives have been sanctioned or disbursed in 2,784 cases, involving a total amount of ₹5,462 lakh. These include 536 DG Set claims, 15 Lab Testing Equipment claims, 3 Pollution Control Device claims, and 2,230 Turnover Incentive claims, the reply said. (JKNS)