FCIK takes up issue with Minister Javed Ahmad Rana
The Biz Reporter
Srinagar, Oct 18: Industrial associations across Kashmir have strongly criticized the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) for issuing what they termed as arbitrary and sweeping legal notices to a large number of industrial units over alleged non-compliance with “Consent to Establish” and “Consent to Operate” requirements.
Syed Fazal Illahi, President of the Kashmir Small Scale Industrial Association (Baghi Ali Mardan Khan), said that the notices were served indiscriminately to a majority of enterprises in their estate, creating panic among entrepreneurs.
“The tone and language of these notices are deeply disturbing and contrary to basic legal principles,” Illahi said, adding that units have been directly declared as “operating illegally” without being given an opportunity to respond. He termed the action as a presumption of guilt that denies the right to be heard and violates due process of law.
He further pointed out that copies of these notices had been marked to the General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC) Srinagar, with directions to de-register the units before any hearing had taken place — calling it a blatant breach of natural justice and procedural fairness.
Similar grievances have been reported by industrial associations in other districts.
The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), the valley’s apex industrial body, also took strong exception to what it called the JKPCC’s “pre-emptive and disproportionate” enforcement drive.
FCIK President Shahid Kamili said the Regional Director had “prematurely treated preliminary observations as final findings”, which he described as both inappropriate and unjustified.
Taking cognizance of the widespread concern, a delegation led by Kamili met Forest Minister Javed Ahmad Rana to discuss what they called a “heavy-handed regulatory approach” that instills fear rather than promoting cooperation.
The delegation told the Minister that JKPCC had bypassed standard regulatory practice by skipping advisories or warnings and instead directly issuing threats of prosecution, penalties, and closure—even in cases of minor or first-time lapses.
They also said the notices lacked inspection reports, evidence, or verifiable documentation, effectively denying units a fair chance to respond. The delegation termed the attempt to involve DICs in de-registering units as “a clear case of jurisdictional overreach.”
FCIK expressed concern that such actions undermine the government’s own push for MSME growth and ease of doing business in Jammu and Kashmir. “Rather than fostering a supportive industrial climate, these arbitrary measures erode investor confidence and deepen distrust between the business community and regulatory institutions,” the delegation said.
In response, Minister Javed Ahmad Rana assured the FCIK delegation that no industrial unit would be unfairly harmed. He promised to convene a high-level meeting, with FCIK participation, to address all concerns arising from JKPCC’s actions.
The Minister further assured that no stringent action would be taken on the issued notices until the matter is resolved amicably.
FCIK reaffirmed its commitment to environmental compliance and sustainable industrial growth while rejecting coercive regulation that ignores due process. “We are ready to cooperate for sustainable development,” the delegation said, “but will not accept arbitrary actions, intimidation, or procedural abuse against our industrial community.”
