Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir government has asked departments, public sector undertakings and other aided institutions to prefer procuring of locally-made goods to boost the economic activities of small entrepreneurs in the Union Territory which is believed to have suffered losses to the tune of thousands of crores due to internet clampdown since August last year.
“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 the prevailing situation,” an 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 list are handloom, handicrafts items, automobile headlights, bags, buckets, sandals, chappals (flip-flops), domestic electric appliances, garments, glassware, hand pumps, lubricators, sanitary fittings, tiles, tyres, utensils, jute furniture, woollen, 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.
The UT administration has also directed departments to bring transparency in the 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 directive.
