Process on to boost industrial growth, says CM

Itagar, Oct 14: Aruchal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday informed the Assembly that the government is working hard to boost industrial growth in the State and would examine the existing Industrial Policy to remove certain lacu in the sector.

 “We will review the State Industrial policy and will invite all the elected representatives to forward suggestions, so that an investor friendly comprehensive policy could be formulated,” Khandu said in the Assembly while responding to a private member resolution brought up by the BJP MLA Gabriel Denwang Wangsu in the House.

Wangsu in his resolution urged the government to take steps to facilitate establishment of industrial estates in foothill areas of the State.

The chief minister said that a budgetary provision of 15 crore was made in the 2017-18 Budget for setting up of industrial units in foothill areas and the proposal was pending with the Committee of Secretaries.

He said: “Market value of Aruchal is zero with no proper Land Act to attract outside investors.”

“Industrial sector in the State will develop only if communication improves along with uninterrupted power supply. Moreover, we need to create a conducive atmosphere with proper security for investors besides availability of resources,” Khandu emphatically said.

He said that the State has 12 Industrial Estate besides one Industrial Growth Centre, five Integrated Industrial Development Centres, four Industrial areas, 161 micro industries, 110 small scale industries and five medium scale industries. The chief minister further informed that the State government had already sent a proposal to Niti Aayog for organizing a semir on Act East Policy during January or February next year. “If the Act East Policy is implemented with improvement of communication network, the economy of Aruchal Pradesh, which shares border with Chi, Bhutan and Tibet will change drastically. Prime Minister rendra Modi is taking keen interest in this direction,” Khandu said.

Stressing on the need to increase State’s own resources, the chief minister informed that during 2016-17, the tax and non-tax revenue generated by the State amounts to Rs 908 crore in comparison to Rs 701 crore during 2015-16.

“Most of the foreign tourists visit the State to see the tribal culture and heritage. I appealed all to give local touch in all architectural designs so that inflow of tourists to the State increases in coming years,” Khandu said and urged all the members irrespective of party affiliation to work with ‘Team Aruchal’ spirit for its overall development.

Wangsu, while bringing the resolution, pointed out that despite the existing industrial policy, the industrial growth in the State was dismal. He added that establishment of Industrial Estates in foothill areas would encourage micro, small and medium industries that would minimize unemployment problem to a large extent.

Taking part in the discussion, Deputy Chief Minister Chow Mein informed that the State government in order to support industrial growth had proposed an industrial corridor from Bhalukpong in West Kameng district to Kanubari in Longding district.

While senior BJP member Wangling Lowangdon suggested for establishing special economic zones for vibrant economic growth, senior PPA MLA Tanga Byaling said that most of the successive governments in the State had failed to focus on the industrial sector.

Tesam Pongte (BJP) suggested for single window clearance for applications for setting up of industrial units while Opposition Leader Takam Pario (PPA) suggested for providing free power to outside investors for setting up of industries in the state.

 While Agriculture Minister, Wangki Lowang suggested for creating buffer zones in foothill areas,  Animal Husbandry and Veteriry Minister, Dr Mohesh Chai stressed on the need to provide basic minimum facilities including road communication, power and water supply to the outside investors for setting up of industries in the State. Later, Wangsu withdrew the resolution on the request of the chief minister.