'Declare Kashmir as SEZ for gem and jewellery'

Srinagar, Apr 25: A traders body in Kashmir has accused successivegovernments at the Centre and in the state of neglecting the oncevibrant gem and jewellery industry, and urged the authorities todeclare the entire Valley as a special economic zone (SEZ) for exportpromotion of these products.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) members statedthis in a meeting with the officials of the Centre's Gem and JewelleryExport Promotion Council here last evening.

KCCI Senior Vice President Nazir Ahmad Dar told the visitingRegional Chairman Rajesh Khanna and Regional Director K K Duggal thatthe world famous sapphire with peacock blue neck colour, thatoriginates from Padder area of Kishtwar in the Jammu region, needs tobe taken up as a cluster for export promotion.

Despite pursuing the matter with the authorities during the pasteight years, he said the government has not floated tenders forexploitation of this treasure at Padder.

Mr Dar said if the stocks at Padder were utilised these couldgenerate Rs 6000 to Rs 8000 crore revenue for the state that wouldsignificantly help in addressing the unemployment problem.

''After abolition of the gold control order, a need is being felt for a jewellery cluster in Kashmir,'' he added.

Mr Dar said the KCCI has recommended setting up of gem andjewellery exchanges with facilities such as appraiser and testinglaboratory for precious stones.

He told the visiting delegation that there were no retail outletsfor sale and purchase of gold bars in Kashmir which would have ensuredthe availability of raw material to the industry.

Mr Dar said the entire Kashmir valley should be declared as a SEZ for export and marketing of gem and jewellery items.

Former KCCI President Mohammad Ibrahim Shahdad said it was anirony that the Rs 80,000 crore industry that shares 16 per cent of thetotal exports from India has been of no advantage to Kashmir.

He said the Export Promotion Council (EPC) since its establishment about 41 years ago has done nothing for Kashmir.

Mr Shahdad said the EPC should launch training programmes in Kashmir for a large number of unemployed educated youth.

The KCCI members criticised the successive governments at theCentre and the state for neglecting the gem and jewellery industry inKashmir, and sought separate budget allocations for its revival.

The visiting delegation assured the KCCI that the issues would betaken up with the Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industrieswho was visiting Kashmir in the second week of May.

UNI