‘Will live up to people’s expectations’
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 21: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said his Government would make attempts to live up to the expectations of the people but all issues cannot be addressed in one go.
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“I know people have expectations (from us) and it will be our endeavour to live up to those. But you should also realise that people have given us five years’ time (mandate). It cannot be that all the demands can be fulfilled in the first budget itself.
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“A good start will be made and we will try to lay a foundation on which we will continue to build upon for the next five years and resolve the problems and demands of the people,” Abdullah told reporters here.
Asked about the Brigade Commander-level flag meeting between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control in Poonch district on Friday, the Chief Minister called it a good move to ease tension.
“The aim of the flag meeting was to decrease tension without using any force,” he said.
Meanwhile, Omar Abdullah attended the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Jammu & Kashmir Annual Session-2025 titled “AMAZING J&K: Aspiring For New Growth Goals,” in Srinagar.
The event, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) J&K Council, brought together business leaders, industrialists, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to discuss strategic actions to boost J&K’s economic growth and development, driving the region’s competitiveness and business potential through a robust and resilient industrial and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Addressing the session, the Chief Minister emphasized that such interactions are pivotal to enhancing efficiency, competitiveness, and creating business opportunities for industries through a range of specialized services and strategic global linkages. It also provides a platform for consensus-building and networking on key issues.
He sought suggestions and valuable insights from the participating entrepreneurs and other stakeholders that can be incorporated into the upcoming budget of Jammu and Kashmir for the overall welfare and benefit of the public, as well as for industries, tourism, and other sectors.
Omar emphasized the need for responsible entrepreneurial practices to foster an economic ecosystem that ensures sustainability across J&K.
While advocating for expanding investments in J&K, the Chief Minister underscored that such investments must be regulated by laws protecting the agricultural land and having land investment safeguards, like in Himachal Pradesh which has put reasonable restrictions and at the same time it would ensure jobs for local youth.
He noted that Himachal Pradesh has adopted a strict policy in this regard and stressed the adoption of a similar policy in J&K.
He commended the resilience of J&K’s industry, acknowledging businesses that have endured challenging times without solely relying on Government subsidies. He stressed the importance of ensuring long-term business sustainability, proposing a mechanism to track businesses’ viability beyond ten years.
On the ease of doing business, the Chief Minister advocated for a genuine single-window clearance system, addressing concerns over bureaucratic hurdles, particularly in obtaining clearances from forest and environment boards, which hinder manufacturing growth.
He encouraged stakeholders to provide suggestions and feedback for the upcoming budget, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to an industry-friendly policy framework.
Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Satish Sharma, who attended the event as guest of honour, also spoke at the event. He emphasized the need to address past deficiencies and underscored the importance of promoting sports tourism, health tourism, and border tourism while leveraging Kashmir’s renowned hospitality through innovative marketing strategies.
Madhav Singhania, Joint Managing Director & CEO, JK Cements Limited & Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, Northern Region; Syed Junaid Altaf Group Executive Director, FIL Industries Pvt. Ltd. & Chairman, CII J&K; Dr. M. A. Alim Director, Package Design Industries & Vice Chairman CII J&K were also present on the occasion.
Chairman of CII J&K and Executive Director – FIL Industries Private Limited, Syed Junaid Altaf, welcomed the dignitaries and participants, expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister for his presence. He emphasized CII’s pivotal role as a catalyst for industrial development in J&K and highlighted the region’s thriving startup ecosystem, which is significantly transforming its economy.
Madhav Singhania, Chairman of CII Northern Region and Joint Managing Director & CEO of JK Cements Ltd., praised J&K’s potential to emerge as an industrial powerhouse. He lauded CII J&K for expanding its membership and engaging the next generation of industry leaders. To accelerate economic growth, he proposed the establishment of a task force to develop a roadmap for transitioning J&K from a $29 billion economy to a $60 billion economy within the next five years.
Dr. M. A. Alim, Vice Chairman CII J&K UT council, expressed his gratitude to all participants for their contributions to making the event a success.
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