CM for revival of wool industry in J&K, Says it has greater potential to thrive.

Jammu, March 25: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has underscored the need for revival of wool industry in the State, keeping in view the potential it offers in generating employment opportunities for a large number of youth directly and indirectly. He said the wool industry has raw material as well as markets available and the sector is poised for growth in the State.

Chairing a high-level meeting of officers convened to discuss the revival of wool industry and Wool Board here today, the Chief Minister said a comprehensive plan should be formulated to address the issue of putting the industry back on rails.

The meeting was attended by Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Industries & Commerce, Labour and Employment and Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Surjit Singh Slathia, Financial Commissioner, Home, Samuel Verghese, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Anil Goswami, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, Sudhanshu Pandey, Commissioner/Secretary, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, R. K. Thusoo and officers of Industries and Sheep Husbandry Departments.

Abdullah said a strategy needs to be put in place to provide a strong edifice to the wool industry and address all issues relating to its growth and development in an integrated manner. “I am reluctant to accept the proposals involving subsidies. We should instead utilize the funds for upgrading the functioning and enhancing the marketability of the industry”, the Chief Minister said.

Stressing on expert consultancy for the revival of wool industry, Abdullah said a holistic view has to be taken to give impetus to the development of this sector. He said experts and consultants could be asked to work out a comprehensive set of recommendations to make the industry a successful venture to such an extent where Government could one day think of its exit from day-to-day running of the industry but not from ownership. “A firm revival plan needs to be formulated so that it is acted upon in a targeted period”, Abdullah impressed upon the officers.

The Chief Minister said employment generation in the State could receive a considerable fillip by the revival of wool industry. This sector offers greater opportunities for both public as well as private sector undertakings and young entrepreneurs.

Earlier, Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Slathia highlighted the importance of revival of wool industry and Wool Board in the State. They put forth suggestions in this regard and laid stress for utilizing the existing facilities available in the public as well as private sector for generating more economic activity based on wool products. (NAK)