Move to frame new industrial policy

On the matter of Industrial Area Phase III, UT officials say that there is very little scope for it because of paucity of land. They highlight that most of the sectors are shared with S.A.S. Nagar and hence, it is not possible to carve out an industrial area.

It may be mentioned here that when the urban complex plan for Chandigarh was prepared by the Town and Country Planning Organisation of the union government, about 150 acres of land in Mauli Jagran was set aside for industrial use.

In this plan made about two decades ago, the industrial land was adjacent to the urban complex to be developed in Mauli Jagran. This land, adjoining the Panchkula Industrial area, has not been acquired as yet and is being used for agricultural purposes. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) highlighted the concerns of the industry at an exhaustive presentation made before the Administrator, Lt Gen B.K.N. Chhibber (retd), earlier this month.

Sources reveal that in the presentation made by CITCO chairperson Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, it was pointed out that while Chandigarh has limited land area, some solutions should be found to redress the grievances of the industrialists, who were increasingly facing shortage of space.

CITCO suggested that the Administration should permit vertical expansion on the existing industrial plots and sheds. Alternately, it was suggested that more area can be made available to fulfill the growing needs of the industry.

It was highlighted that the industrial plots and sheds should be made transferable within a defined a set of norms. Also, it was urged that the Industrial Development and Facility Centre in industrial area here must be modernised to meet the requirements of the industry.

The need for an early articulation of industrial policy and for the upgradation of the infrastructure in Industrial Area Phase I and II including the roads, electrification was also stressed. It was felt that at present, the development of infrastructure in the Industrial Area was left to the Engineering Department. Since the department had many other areas to take care of too, this may be addressed in the Industrial Policy, felt officials.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Small Scale Industries has written to the Administration on the issues that can be addressed in the industrial policy.

Secretary of the Federation Rajeev Gupta points out that for one, the Administration must evolve a simple procedure for the transfer of industrial plots and sheds. Permission for change of trade and permission to rent out the premises and construction on the first floor has also been demanded by the federation.