J&K Calm, Peaceful, & Open For Business: CM Omar

Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir is calm, peaceful, and open for business, asserted Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday, calling incidents like the Pahalgam terror attack aberrations rather than the norm.

Addressing the fourth meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Northern Regional Council 2025-26, Omar emphasised that every step is being taken to prevent a recurrence of tragic events like the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

“Yes, there have been difficult times, but those are behind us. Tragic incidents like the one at Pahalgam are aberrations, not the norm, and every step is being taken to prevent its recurrence,” Omar said.

The Chief Minister noted that while tourism has received much focus in recent months, industrial growth has not received equal attention. He urged industry leaders to view J&K as a viable and promising investment destination, emphasizing the need to complement the tourism success story with robust industrialisation.

“Tourism is one part of our growth story, but the other part that requires equal attention is industrialisation. J&K remains an attractive place for investment despite challenges, and we are committed to making it easier and more rewarding for industry to operate here,” Omar said.

The Chief Minister highlighted ongoing investments and incentives, pointing out that industrial hubs such as Kathua, Samba, and Bari Brahmana in Jammu, and Lassipora in Kashmir continue to attract the highest inflow of capital. He also acknowledged gaps in the single-window clearance system, assuring reforms:

“We must ensure that our 'single window' is truly a single window, not one that leads to a ventilator, then an exhaust fan, and eventually nowhere. I have directed the industries department to engage directly with recent investors and learn from their experiences to fix this system once and for all,” Omar said.

Omar also highlighted J&K's comparative advantages-cheaper land and electricity than neighbouring regions, GST reimbursement benefits, and availability of skilled labour. He encouraged investors to explore sectors with inherent strengths, citing agriculture, horticulture, and dairy production as untapped opportunities.

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