Shadow Correspondent
Srinagar, NOv 1:
“We must leverage the existing strengths, better infrastructure, build strong linkages between J&K’s industrial ecosystem and national financial institutions and bridge the funding gap for MSMEs and startups,” the Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha said on Saturday. He was speaking at the first ever “Self-Reliant India (SRI) Fund Outreach” event at Srinagar. The Lieutenant Governor congratulated Union Ministry of MSME, NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited (NVCFL), Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) and J&K Department of Industries & Commerce for this landmark initiative to connect the start-ups and MSME entrepreneurs of J&K with VC firms and Institutional Investors.
He said the event will build awareness about the SRI Fund and inform the entrepreneurs about its active role in bridging the funding gap for MSMEs. The main objective of SRI Fund is to enhance access to equity capital for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)/Startups and extend the reach of venture capital to emerging regions. The SRI Fund, launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, is Rs. 50,000 crore Fund of Funds Scheme designed to promote growth-oriented MSMEs through a Mother Fund–Daughter Fund structure. The event will introduce J&K-based enterprises to venture capital mechanisms and promote equity-based financing options for business growth and expansion.
“Entrepreneurs, investors and policy-makers are gathered here today at one place and I am confident that a new era has begun for startups and micro and small-scale industries. The investors of Jammu Kashmir will directly benefit from the reforms that the
It is equally important
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji is giving new impetus to with the resolve of self-reliant India,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The Lieutenant Governor asked the Venture Capitalists (VCs) and Investors to assess the capabilities of individual entrepreneurs, the potential of Jammu Kashmir and the business venture with full sensitivity and responsibilities.
“Industrial development of Jammu Kashmir, rejuvenation of startups and MSMEs is not merely a business exercise. It is your duty towards the nation. The rapid development of J&K’s MSMEs and Startups is the collective responsibility of investors,” the Lieutenant Governor told the VCs and Investors.
He also called for providing better resources and opportunities to the young and budding entrepreneurs of Jammu Kashmir.
Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, Government of India; Shri Vikramjit Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce department, J&K; Dr Subhranshu Sekhar Acharya, Chairman, NVCFL; Shri Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar; Shri Khalid Jahangir, Director JKEDI; Shri Mussarat Zia, Director Handicrafts and Handlooms, Kashmir; senior officials, members of NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited, officials of of Industries and Commerce, JKEDI, business leaders, Venture Capitalists, investors, representatives of MSMEs and entrepreneurs were present.
Meanwhile, The Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today called for a strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve health outcomes and ensure access to quality healthcare for all. He was speaking at the inauguration of 200-Bedded Hospital, Amandeep BR Medicity, in collaboration with Ujala Cygnus Healthcare, at Tengpora-Bemina Bypass, Srinagar. The hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced medical technology, will provide quality healthcare.
The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that in a very short span of time since 2020 modern healthcare facilities were developed including well-equipped hospitals, increased record number of MBBS, Nursing seats for adequate number of qualified healthcare professionals and strengthened healthcare in remote areas through thousands of health and wellness centres.
“Under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we built new medical colleges, thousands of health and wellness centres, launched universal health insurance and created a high-quality and accessible healthcare for people of J&K UT.
Around 90 percent of the population in Jammu Kashmir is covered under the universal health coverage of Rs 5 Lakh. Our health infrastructure is better and we are also attracting private investments in health sector,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He also called for judicious utilisation of the existing resources to meet the needs of patients with compassion, sensitivity and dedication.
Shri Sunil Sharma, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in J&K Legislative Assembly; Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson, J&K Waqf Board; Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Health and Medical Education; Dr. Amandeep Kaur, Founder Director, Amandeep Group of Hospitals; Shri Nitin Nag, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services, members of Amandeep Group of Hospitals and Ujala Cygnus Healthcare Services, senior officials, doctors and staff of the hospital attended the inaugural ceremony.
