The Chhattisgarh Government has allotted 6,654 hectares of land through its 'land Bank' for enabling establishment of various industrial units in the State. The State Government has taken several significant steps to leverage development of industries in the State, officials stated.
From year 2003 till present, capital investment in micro and small industries has increased by 40 times, they said. According to the information received from Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation ltd (CSIDC), capital investment in these industries in year 2003 was Rs 6359 crores, which has grown to Rs 2,52,593 crore at present.
In the year 2003, number of micro and small industries in Chhattisgarh was 6488, which has nearly doubled over the time to 13,284 at present. These industries were deploying nearly 16000 people but at present this number has reached around 1.06 lakh, officials stated.
The total value of medium and large-scale industries in Chhattisgarh has also increased significantly. In 2003, number of medium-large scale industries was 26, which has increased to 156 at present.
Secretary, Commerce & Industry Subodh Kumar Singh had been constantly reviewing the status of industrial projects besides making consistent efforts to draw more industrial investment to the State.
Capital investment in these industries has also hiked from Rs 1885 crores to Rs 48,302 crores. These industries were providing employment to near 8,000 people in year 2003, but presently around more than 33,000 people have been employed.
The State Government has taken several steps like online application system, minimum paperwork, third party verification etc, so as to facilitate ease of doing business in state. Besides, a portal has also been made to redress problems faced by investors in developing infrastructure and setting up industrial projects in state.
Moreover, while simplifying the land allocation process for setting up industrial units in the State, the CSIDC has facilitated online submissions of the applications through its website and the State government portal, they stated.
Officials stated that applications for allocations of land will be accepted online only and applications on paper will not be entertained in its office.
The applications for allocation of land in industrial areas or outside will be also accepted through its website and the State portal only.
Earlier, the applications were accepted in CSIDC's office and the after completing the process, land was being allocated.
As per the policy of State government, for making business easy for the people in the State, online application submission has been started. The system of taking application in all offices of CSIDC has been ended , the officials informed.
On January 13 this year, the Chhattisgarh Cabinet endorsed the State’s ‘New Industrial Policy 2014-19’.
The approval to the policy was accorded in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh at the Mantralaya.
After the meeting, the Chief Minister provided detailed information about the Cabinet decisions.
He said that the policy includes the provision of subsidy worth Rs 5 crore for establishing an Industrial Park in the private sector. Provision of establishing ‘land Bank’ over 10,000 hectares for various industries has also been included in the policy, Singh stated.
Moreover, to promote bicycle manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, electronic products, textile industries etc, these industries will be included as 'Priority' in the new industrial policy. The prescribed limit for mega project will be reduced for these industries, so that they may get benefits of mega-project on lesser investment, he said.
Under the new industrial policy, the Chief Minister Cluster Development Scheme will be initiated, under which the State government will provide Rs 50 lakh as subsidy.
Singh said that on the lines of 'Make in India' concept, the State Government will implement 'Make in Chhattisgarh' policy under which manufacturing units of the related industries will be promoted with priority.
The domiciles of Chhattisgarh will be encouraged to set up their own enterprises and they will also be provided better employment opportunities, he said.
Capital investment in the State will be promoted by making industry competitive in comparison to other states.
Weaker sections of society such as Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Disabled, Retired personnel, women and Naxal-affected families will be given preference under the policy. The mineral, forest and other resources available in the State will be naturally conserved, Singh said.
For skill improvement of permanent residents of the State, participation of industries will be ensured, he said.
The Chhattisgarh government while looking for big ticket investments in the domain of IT and Solar Energy has also started stressing on the need to invite micro, small and medium scale investors in the two sectors.
At the same time, the Government is now also stressing on inviting all sizes of investment in the Agriculture Forest based products and Food Processing domains.
The issue was discussed at length in the state-level review meeting of the Commerce and Industry Department chaired by State Industry Department Secretary Subodh Kumar Singh here.
In the meeting, Singh also asked the general managers of District Industries and Trade Centres to become a partner in the government’s skill development initiatives for youth in their respective districts.
He asked the general managers to remain in constant touch with the Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and livelihood colleges in their respective regions.
Singh suggested that the general managers must get in touch with owners of local industrial units and know the type of manpower required by them suited to their line of industry and help train the youth accordingly for job creation.
He also asked officials to take necessary steps for facilitating establishment of rice mills in Kawardha, Bemetara and Rajnandgaon regions.
Singh also informed that under the Central government’s Digital India Campaign, the work of the State Industry Department would be taken online from State to district level.
He also told officials to ensure that no land being acquired for the industrial projects is disputed and the region has availability of all basic facilities such as power and water supply.
Singh said that there will be immediate registration of applicants who would like to establish units in future with the District Industry and Trade Centres in the districts .
The Chhattisgarh Government has released sizeable land parcels in five districts for use by industrial units in the State.