Bhadrak estate fails industry test

Bhadrak: The industrial estate at Rajanja, on the outskirts of Bhadrak town, is in tatters. The state-owned Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) had allotted 20.7 acre to 20 entrepreneurs for setting up enterprises there under chief minister J B Patnaik's ?1000 industries in 1000 days' scheme announced in 1986.
Sources said an electric sub-station was installed and telephone lines laid at Rajanja, besides creation of other basic facilities, for the purpose.Twenty-eight years hence, only four units are functional. The units that closed down are lying in a dilapidated state, while some structures await completion.
"The buildings that entrepreneurs constructed with funds from the government have been rented out as godowns." In the absence of proper security, anti-socials are using the buildings," said Bhadrak chamber of commerce president Gouranga Panda. "The place, adjacent to NH-5, is worth over Rs 25 crore, but the government is doing little to develop it," he noted.
Official sources said Idco is not paying land rent to the revenue department. If this was not enough, records of land alienation to Idco for the industrial estate are not available at the tahasil office in Bhadrak. The district administration, too, is unaware of the estate's status.
"The Idco failed to handle only 21 acre and fulfil the objectives behind the government's industrial policy. Fate of the estate raises doubts over 463.42 acre earmarked in the master plan of Bhadrak for the proposed industrial zone," said Sanjeev Nayak, an entrepreneur, who manufactures candles and incense sticks. "It seems the government is allowing a few people to grab land under the garb of promoting industries," Nayak added.
Manager of district industrial centre Amulya Gosh said Rajanja does not fall under his jurisdiction. "We ensure proper implementation of government's regulations in case of industries set up on our recommendation. It is for Idco to ensure that land provided to entrepreneurs is properly utilized," he added.