Moratorium on two Chandrapur industrial clusters to be lifted

CHANDRAPUR: Moratorium on two out of four industrial clusters in Chandrapur is all set to be lifted today. Hansraj Ahir, union minister of state for ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) made the announcement on the sidelines of industrial conference ‘Make in Chandrapur’ that had quite a few ministers from the Centre and state in attendance on Thursday.
“The decision regarding removal of moratorium Chandrapur and Tadali MIDC is in final stages. MoEF minister Prakash Jawdekar is likely to sign the file releasing the two industrial clusters from moratorium on Friday. However, the moratorium in Ghugus and Ballarpur industrial clusters would continue,” Ahir said, addressing the conference.
The meet, intended to woo large industries in Chandrapur, turned into a ‘janata darbar’ for industrialists. While a few suggestions were made on behalf of heads of industries’ union to help in attracting industries in Chandrapur, most of the industrialists used the platform to narrate their woes and seek redressal.
No perks were offered for new industries. However, minister of state for industries, Pravin Pote-Patil, maintained that inputs from the conference would help in framing an ‘ideal’ industrial policy.
Minister for finance and planning, Sudhir Mungantiwar, presided over the convention organized by MIDC Industries Association, Chandrapur. Mungantiwar, who is patron of the idea ‘Make in Chandrapur’, opted for interactive dialogue with industrialists and sought for suggestions from industrialists to help bring industrial development into Chandrapur. He asked the officers present on the programme to note down the suggestions to help in framing policies for industrial development.
Madhusudan Roongta, president of MIDC Industries Association, Chandrapur, sought special incentives and package for industries coming to Chandrapur. He urged the ministers to bring automobile and textile industries in the district, which have low pollution and high ancillary potential. President of Vidarbha Industries Association, Atul Pandey, suggested taking integrated approach through education institutes in Chandrapur for skill development of the youths here.
President of Federation of Industries Association (Vidarbha), Kiran Paturkar, sought a new industrial policy with special inputs on development of industries in Vidarbha and Marathwada. He suggested holding special workshops in every district in Vidarbha to evaluate the potential for the industrial development there and make a blueprint based on what kind of industry would be developed in which area. He sought special incentives for promotion of agro based industries in agricultural districts like Chandrapur and Yavatmal.
Replying to a query on mining of minerals in Gadchiroli, Mungantiwar claimed that government has decided to frame a special policy for Naxal-affected districts. “We are keen on mining of iron ore from Surjagarh in Gadchiroli. Central government has taken initiative towards building highway up to Sironcha. We have held two meetings with union railway minister Suresh Prabhu regarding construction or railway line to boost mining in Gadchiroli. Government is also keen to tap the high potential of limestone mining Devalmari hillocks of Gadchiroli,” he said.
Mungantiwar said that government is inclined on lifting ban on sale of land in the villages coming under benefit area of irrigation projects and a decision in this regard would be announced soon. He also claimed that the government is also going to take up small water resource development projects in the villages that remained deprived of irrigation as they fall in the benefit area of big irrigation projects that have remained incomplete since decades.