Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 1: To bolster local economy, Jammu and Kashmir administration has come up with a list of directives to departments asking them to procure certain goods and services produced and provided by micro and small enterprises in the new Union Territory.
This comes at a time when Kashmir’s economy is almost shut while local entrepreneurs are not able to export or import goods. An official said that Lieutenant General Girish Chandra Murmu wants to boost the economic activities of small entrepreneurs. “Kashmir’s economy has been badly hit since August 5. Units of several small entrepreneurs are at the verge of closure because they are not able to do their business in view of prevailing situation,” the official said.
Taking note, J&K administration has directed its departments, public sector undertakings and other aided institutions to procure certain goods and services produced and provided by micro and small enterprises (MSMEs).
Among the 358 goods included in the last are handloom, handicrafts items, automobile head lights, bags, buckets, sandals, chapels, domestic electric appliances, garments, glass wares, hand pumps, lubricators, sanitary fittings, tiles, tyres, utensils, jute furniture, woolen, carpet and silk items.
Sources said the step has been taken in line with the public procurement policy notified by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in respect of goods and services produced and provided by micro and small enterprises. The policy envisages procurement of minimum 20% of overall procurement of goods and services by government institutions from these small time entrepreneurs.
“The move is aimed at providing much relief to these enterprises as 20% of government purchases would infuse a greater vigour into the economic advancement of these enterprises,” a top official said. Artisans said handicrafts sector has been badly hit amid prevailing situation. “We are not able to import or export goods. The decision of the government asking departments to procure goods from local entrepreneurs will only benefit when honest officers are in departments,” they said. Government has directed departments to bring transparency in procurement of goods.
“Every authority designated with the powers of procuring goods and hiring services in public interest has the responsibility and accountability. There has to be economy, efficiency, fairness, transparency, quality and amount of money while purchasing goods,” reads the Finance Department directives. |
