Operations must on indl plots: AIMA

NASHIK: The Ambad Industries & Manufacturers' Association (NIMA) has asked the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation to make commercial operations mandatory for entrepreneurs while allotting them industrial plots.
Around 100 plots have been acquired by some businessmen in the name of setting up industries. However, they have not done anything significant on them even after getting the building completion certificates (BCCs).
At present, it is mandatory for the entrepreneurs to develop their industrial plots and take BCCs from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) within three to five years (as per zone) after obtaining the plots. The period of submitting BCC is also mentioned in the agreement with the entrepreneurs.
The MIDC's role ends after issuance of the BCC to the industries concerned. Most of the industries (investors) develop some portion and get BCCs, but do not go for commercial production. The investors get advantage of this and buy industrial plots for investment purpose, but do not start production work. As a result, genuine entrepreneurs are deprived of getting industrial plots. Several such plots have been blocked by the investors in Sinnar and other industrial estates of the MIDC in the district.
Vivek Patil, president of AIMA, told TOI, "There is a need to change MIDC norms. Besides the BCC, making the industrial unit operational on the plots concerned should be made mandatory. Apart from the entrepreneurs, some investors also get industrial plots and construct temporary sheds there to get BCCs, but never start operations there. Around 100 industrial plots in Sinnar and other estates in the district have been blocked by the investors and MIDC can't do anything due to lack of norms. There is only a provision of getting BCCs from MIDC, but there is no rule that the industrial units should go into production."
"We are planning to take up the issue with chief minister Devendra Fadanvis during our proposed meeting next month. We will urge him to make amendments in the MIDC's norms. Making industrial units commercially operational should be made mandatory for the entrepreneurs, who get industrial plots in MIDC areas," Patil added.
M G Kulkarni, president of Laghu Udyog Bharati (Nashik centre), said, "These investors or non-industrial persons have put up sheds and small structures on around 100 plots in the Sinnar industrial area and have obtained BCC from the MIDC. But these units have not gone into commercial production. The situation is similar in other industrial estates in the district. The MIDC needs to make a proper land allotment policy making it mandatory for the entrepreneurs to start industrial operations."
Senior MIDC official said on the condition of anonymity, "It is mandatory for the industries to develop the plots and take BCCs from the MIDC. It is a policy decision that needs to be taken at the state level."