The State Government’s decision to develop science cluster at Ambala will breathe life into the 110-year-old Ambala science industry, which was rotting in oblivion. According to a recent study, this industry has witnessed a 35 per cent decline in the past three years.
The step taken by the Government will enable entrepreneurs, who were sitting idle lately, making them competent enough to meet the challenges, faced by the industrial sector, from China, which is a decade ahead to the contemporary Indian industries due to the development of such clusters by the government of China in the past few years.
Amarjit Singh, former president of Ambala Science Instrument Manufacturing Association (ASIMA) said that the project was lingering in the State and Central Government’s files for over four years. The science cluster development programme, aimed by the Government, will draw an investment of Rs 15 crore, apart from the cost of land and other infrastructure involved. Out of the total cost, local entrepreneurs will bear 10 per cent, needed for setting up the project, to provide efficient services to the science industry at subsidised rates.
It was after diligent efforts were made by ASIMA, that an approval for the project was granted, to boost the otherwise declining science industry in the area. A detailed study report has been prepared which contains the list of hi-tech machineries which are to be imported from Japan, Germany and USA. Singh said that to make the cluster and the tool designing center, a cost of approximately Rs 12 crore will incur. Director of industry has also approved the project. Plans are ripe to lay the foundation stone of the proposed project by December 31 and to erect the building of the project by March 31, 2014, he added.
Dr Anil Jain, former ASIMA president said Ambala scientific goods industry is using five decades old techniques in optics and upgrading of the machinery is likely to cost nearly Rs 5 crore. He said microscopes used in education and medical sectors are manufactured in the town which is famous all over the world; however, immediate up-gradation is required to meet the ever evolving international market. Most of the scientific goods manufacturers in Ambala, are now importing goods from China, which is flooding domestic markets.
The president of Scientific Appliances Manufacturing Association Ambala, Gian Chand said that higher rate of VAT imposed on scientific goods by the State Government has resulted in the downfall of the industry in Ambala and it is the State Government’s responsibility to take immediate action to reduce VAT and bring it at par with the other states in the country to save the collapsing scientific goods industry in Ambala.