The Chhattisgarh Government has started deliberations over ‘cluster wise’ shifting of polluting industrial units to regions away from the Raipur city. No more new polluting industrial units will be established around Raipur city and in public interest, such existing industrial units would be either shifted or shut down. This was decided during a meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Housing and Environment, N Baijendra Kumar and industry representatives of Urla-Siltara Industrial Area held here on Monday.
During the meeting, industry representatives were informed about State Government’s proposal for shifting of pollution causing industrial units to some other place and discussion was held over the issue in the meeting. “Considering the environmental pollution, cluster wise shifting of industries has been proposed,” the ACS said while instructing them to seriously comply with environmental rules.
The industry owners were directed to strictly use ESP for lowering smoke emission, so that people may be able to get relief from the smoke problem. “For decreasing pollution level in Raipur city, the State Government has begun the discussion for shifting pollution causing industries located in Urla and Siltara to some other place,” he said, adding, pollution causing industries will no longer be supported.
“Whatever the process the Government is going to adopt will be transparent, however, your suggestions in developing criteria for the same would be important,” the ACS told industry representatives. The way Korba Action Plan was prepared and implemented, a similar kind of plan needs to be prepared for industries around Raipur. Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board will keep an eye on it, he said.
Secretary, Environment Department, Sanjay Shukla stated : ‘Our first priority should be to decrease pollution. We have gathered here to think over the parameters of environment, why are they not being followed, why has the situation for shifting industries arrived and what should be the procedure for shifting industrial units’, he said.
Director, Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) Sunil Mishra suggested that for correct evaluation of pollution level and its sources help of some third party like some well known institution could be taken. Member Secretary, Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board, Devendra Singh informed that discussion in this connection is already going on and very soon contact could me made with institutions such as IIT Kharagpur.
Notably, to cite an example, the Chhattisgarh Government is betting big on not just developing Naya Raipur as a ‘Smart City’ with ultra modern town planning, its thrust on inviting non-core sector investors to set up base is receiving an equal share of undivided attention, officials stated. Buoyed by the recent Industrial Entrepreneurs Memorandum (IEM) list released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Government of India stating that Chhattisgarh has received maximum proposals in the country for setting up industrial projects, the proposed second Global Investors Meet is set to draw more investors to the State, they stated.
Chhattisgarh has received investment proposals to the tune of Rs1,61, 836 crores which is way ahead of its follower Maharashtra, they said. Chief Minister Raman Singh has credited the achievement to the conducive industrial environment and developing people of the State and said that he anticipates that these proposals will convert into real investments. This will take the industrial growth rate much higher than other states, he said.
The officials said that according to the IEM list released in September 2014, as many as 24 big investors have filed IEMs for setting industries in Chhattisgarh with an investment proposal of Rs1,61,836 crores. For an investment of more than Rs5 crore the IEM is filed with the DIPP. It may be recalled that an Electronic Manufacturing Cluster will be established by Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation ltd (CSIDCl) during the next three years. The CSIDCl had sent a proposal to the Central Government regarding development of ‘Electronic Manufacturing Cluster’ over 70 acres of land in Naya Raipur.
The estimated cost of the ‘Electronic Manufacturing Cluster’ is Rs105 crore where the Central Government will contribute Rs50 crore for the project while remaining expenses will be borne by State Government itself. Development of the ‘Electronic Manufacturing Cluster’ will open gates for investment of Rs500 crore in 50 industries and will create employment opportunities for about 1000 people. It is a major achievement in the direction of establishing pollution-free industries of Non-core sector in Naya Raipur, officials stated.
This ‘Electronic Manufacturing Cluster’ will consist nearly 50 units manufacturing electronic items, electronic panels, medical electronic devices, electronic gadgets, Home Theatre, USB, electronic goods, commercial lights, micro transformers quill, charger, mobile phones, CCTV camera, television, computer hard drive, computer peripherals, set up box, lED light, Inverter, energy meter, automotive electronics, note books, tablets, printers etc. The project will enable investment of Rs500 crore and thus will create employment for about 1000 people.
The ‘Electronic Manufacturing Cluster’ will be equipped with ultra modern amenities along with Shopping Centre, Warehouse, Hostel, Club, Training Centre, Tool Room, Solid Waste Management, Waste Management Plant and Support Service Centre etc. A Global Investors Meet is also proposed in the State to attract investments in non-core sectors and an Electronic Manufacturing Cluster is coming up in Naya Raipur and a Mega Food Park in Dhamtari district. Work is underway for Engineering Park in Bhilai for setting up engineering equipment industries, officials added.