In a bid to lure investment in the hills of Uttarakhand through Micro, Small and Medium industry, a brain-storming session chaired by the Chief Secretary and involving the Industries’ Association of Uttarakhand (IAU) was held on Tuesday in Dehradun.
Addressing the gathering, CS said that the State Government has laid red carpet for the captains of industries who are keen to invest in the hills. He dwelt at length on the State Government-envisaged policy meant to promote industries in the hills. He wondered why the industrialists are shying away from investing in the hills despite the region being loaded with enormous potential. He also asked them whether they have any plan or model for the hills in view.
IAU chairman Pankaj Gupta apprised the chief secretary of the hitches that are keeping investment away. He said the new policy formulated by the state government is not as clear as it should be. “This ambiguity might be responsible for the industrial bases not expanding with the desired pace. This might also account for new entrepreneurs giving the region a short shrift,” he said.
Chief secretary agreed that there are loopholes in the policy and assured he would plug them in future.
Assured by the emphatic gesture of the State Government, IAU demanded that instant land and developed flatted factory shed complex are required. If the State Government provides it MSME would automatically venture here, they said.
As far as the single window system is concerned they suggested that a single set of application should suffice in the system. Besides, there should be a provision for the existing industries under which entrepreneurs can renew things annually sans much glitch. In case he does not make any alternation in the existing unit self- certificates should be considered as renewal documents, it was suggested.
IAU suggested that the district industries coordination committee led by district magistrate should convene monthly meeting to discuss the available opportunities. On that basis, the DM should also discuss how the industrialists operating here can initiate commercial activities and the like. The committee should also set its own goal for the establishment of industries.
CS was apprised of the fact that the youths of the state despite being more innovative and creative could not channelise their zeal institutionally which is why they do not dare to run for self-employment. There is an immediate need to motivate them so that they would venture for self-employment, IAU suggested. To ensure things happen the positive way, IAU, SIDBI and the State Government will have to make joint efforts. Those representing IAU assured that they would submit a proposal regarding this soon.
IAU made a few presentations and the chief secretary approved them in principle. They include Deomart where local produces or locally manufactured goods will be sold. Stress was laid on industries based on items being used in religious ceremonies and those based on pre-cast building materials aside from draft wood-based craft industry and Micro food park-Food courts.
Besides, a few entrepreneurs showed keenness to establish industries in the hills and also shared the technical hitches they are likely to encounter because of the ambiguous hill industrial policy.
However, the CS allayed their misgivings on this count, assuring to set things right promptly.
Among those present included principal secretary MSME Manisha Panwar, principal secretary Tourism Dr Umakant Panwar, principal secretary Planning S Ramaswami, secretary labour Dr RK Sudhanshu, secretary PWD Amit Singh Negi, secretary IT Deepak Gairola, secretary Urban Development DS Garbyal, additional secretary & MD SIDCUl R Rajesh Kumar, VC MDDA R Meenakshisundaram, additional secretary & commissioner Commercial Tax Dilip Jawalkar, additional secretary Food Processing Teekam Singh Panwar, additional secretary C Ravishankar and additional director SC Nautiyal from the state government’s side.
Manoj Goyal, RNS Rawat, Kashi Khanduja, Hemant Kurich, Dinehs Mudgal, Sanjay Jain, Samir Dhingra, TS Hasanwalia, Sanjay Sikariya, Radhesh lal, TS Bhandari, Anil Mittal, Mukesh
Gupta, AC Jain, Sarvesh Sharma, Shubham Maheshwari, Arvind Mittal and Deepak Singhal were present as representing IAU.