B. SALIENT FEATURES OF THE
INDUSTRIAL POLICY,1997
The following are the
salient features of the policy on industrial promotion :-
State
Government welcomes the advent of advanced technologies and external
investments, preferably in the joint sector, which would promote the
economic development of the region.
State Government consider the public sector as an important agency to promote social justice and balanced growth. However, in the context of on-going changes in the policies of the Government of India, the need for mitigating the growing unemployment , and constraints on budgetary resources, State Government welcomes private sector investment for rapid industrialisation and accelerated growth in the State. To encourage industrialisation along these lines, Government would provide need based budgetary support where required.
Along with the private and public sectors, the Government looks upon the joint and assisted sectors as effective instruments for rapid industrialisation as well as for mobilisation of necessary resources and expertise in vital areas of economic activity.
State Government recognises that improvement and upgradation of industrial infrastructure is essential for accelerated growth of industries. Emphasis would be on improvement in roads, construction and upgradation of airport, construction of rope-ways, improvement in communications and power supply and development of export promotion industrial park and growth centers with all connected facilities.
State Government would expedite suitable approval under the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act so as to facilitate investment in the industrial sector.
In case of sick/ closed industrial units, State Government would assist in conducting diagnostic studies to enable a view to be taken, within a specific time frame, regarding future of such units.
State Government has set up a Single Window Agency under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to provide time-bound decisions and clearances in respect of investment proposals. The Government will also constitute similar district level committee(s) for the concerned District(s) under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner(s) to ensure quick decision making for enabling effective setting up of industries.
State Government has decided that The Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. (MIDC) will provide escort services for the large and medium scale industries under suitable terms and conditions.
In order to develop human resources through the upgradation of skills, training institutions would receive due attention. Association of Private Sector in this important activity would be encouraged.
Government will provide suitable assistance to prospective or deserving entrepreneur(s) for gaining knowledge about advanced technologies as also acquiring training for the same.
C. INDUSTRIES IDENTIFIED AS
THRUST AREAS
Based upon the industrial
opportunities and potential available in Meghalaya, the following
industrial sectors have been identified as thrust areas :-
1.
Agro Based Industries
Meghalaya has a competitive
advantage in agro-based industries. State Government is also implementing
various development programmes for improving the production of
horticultural and agricultural produces. In tune with this emphasis State
Government will continue to give priority to agro-based industries, which
will not only further strengthen the agricultural base of the State but
also enhance employment opportunities. Further, State Government will
assist in establishing appropriate linkages between the growers and the
processors of agricultural produce.
The following agro-based units will be encouraged
to come up in Meghalaya -
Horticulture-Based
Units
Such horticulture based units in the state will
include food processing , mushroom cultivation and processing. All these
products have a good market not only in the state and rest of India but
also in the neighbouring countries.
Bio-technology
Based Units
There exist a high potential for the
setting up of select , bio-technology based industries in Meghalaya. This
industry is essentially knowledge-based and can function with minimum
resources and limited transportation infrastructure.
Tissue
Culture and Orchid Units
India accounts for 1300 species
of orchids of which 150 are found in Meghalaya. Orchid cultivation can be
taken up viably as an industry in the State. Orchid have a high value
realisation in the international markets. Encouragement will be given to
large scale commercial exploitation in a systematic and scientific manner
through tissue culture. Flori-culture will also be encouraged on a similar
basis.
Spices , Oleoresin and other Essential Oils
Units
A number of spices and aromatic plants grow in
different parts of Meghalaya. This can be used for the production of high
value export items such as spice oils, oleoresin and other essential oils.
State Government will encourage the setting up of units in this
sector.
Medicinal Plants, Tea and
Rubber
Medicinal plants have a good potential for
development in Meghalaya. Commercially viable medicinal plants will be
identified and their potential assessed , based on which drugs and
pharmaceuticals units would be encouraged.
Meghalaya has a good potential for cultivation of tea and
rubber although their processing through large scale plantation activities
has not been taken up on an organised scale. Government will provide
necessary support for development of this areas.
2. Animal
Husbandry and Meat Processing industries
Given the large
demand-supply gap of meat in the North Eastern Region. Meghalaya needs
units for hygienic and scientific processing of poultry, piggery and other
meat products.
Meghalaya has a high potential for development of dairy and allied products as well as for processing of animal hides and skins and for setting up leather industries.
Units in the above sectors would be encouraged.
3. Development of Mineral based
Industries
Meghalaya is rich in minerals like high grade
limestone, coal , granite, siliminate, industrial clay, quartz, feldspar,
etc. The following mineral based industries will be
encouraged.
Coal Based Industries
Meghalaya
produces large quantities of coal of very high calorific value with low
ash content but high sulphur content. This coal can be used for production
of several chemicals and other industrial products.
Limestone
Based Industries
Meghalaya has large deposits of
limestone. The quality of these deposits varies from cement grade to
chemical grade. The following projects can be set up by utilising the
limestone deposits of the state.
Cement Plants
Lime Plants
Calcium Carbide
Plants
Precipitated calcium carbonate Units and Bleaching Power
Units
Other mineral-based Industries
A few
other industries that can come up in this sector in Meghalaya are as
follows:-
Granite mining and polishing
Silimanite refractory
and other allied industries
Clay Washery
Ceramic glazed
tiles
Cement based mosaic tiles
Ceramic crockery and Ceramic low
tension insulators
4. Electronics &
Information Technology
The State Government will encourage
setting up of electronic-based industries and complexes in the sphere of
information technology in private sector and/or joint sector.
Continued
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