Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary announced that the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) has imposed a two-year moratorium on new air-polluting industries in Khrew, Pulwama, and Khonmoh in Srinagar. This decision, made in 2021, was reviewed by the committee in December 2023, and it was resolved that the moratorium would remain in force for certain industries, such as cement plants and stone crushers, until the air quality improves.
Choudhary also discussed the closure of three plants of the Jammu and Kashmir Cements Limited (JKCL) since 2019 due to poor power supply, lack of maintenance, and unforeseen factors like floods and COVID-19 lockdowns. The company is currently undergoing disinvestment, with the Administrative Council of the Union Territory of J&K approving the sale of JKCL and its assets in 2021.
The Deputy Chief Minister assured that pensionary benefits for retired JKCL employees have been worked out and included in the revised budgetary provisions for 2024-25. Additionally, the 6th Pay Commission benefits have been implemented for the employees.
