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The Biada office in Bokaro
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State industries secretary A.P. Singh has asked Biada managing director-cum-Bokaro deputy commissioner Sunil Kumar to implement a six-point programme that will not only turn non-profitable companies into profitable ones, but also build a favourable investment climate.
Singh mooted the six-point formula after a meeting with executive members of Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industries on Tuesday. At the meeting, the executive members submitted a memorandum of their demands and suggestions about what should be done to bring Biada, which boasts about 650 acres and 494 industrial units spread across coal belt comprising the three districts of Bokaro, Dhanbad and Giridih, on the national industrial map.
The six-pronged strategy calls for regular meetings among senior executives of Jharkhand State Electricity Board, Damodar Valley Corporation, entrepreneurs and local district officials to ensure constant supply of power; regular work orders from Bokaro steel plant and other big industries operating in the zone; establishment of tool room and laboratories for better industrial output; acquisition of more 1,000 acres on a war footing; establishment of ESI hospital to deal with health problems of workers; and meetings among entrepreneurs and Biada officials to address problems faced by the former.
“The land provision tops the government’s priority list in view of the rising demand for industrial plots from prospective investors, many of who are big national players. Kumar has been told to hurry up and acquire at least 1,000 acres adjacent to NH-23, NH-32 and NH-33, falling in Bokaro, Dhanbad and Giridih districts, respectively,” said a source.
The Biada managing director has already initiated several steps in this regard, asking Dhanbad and Giridih deputy commissioners to hurry with the process of acquisition of land. Kumar has also asked circle officers of Petarwar, Kasmar, Jaridih, Chas and Chandankyari of Bokaro to identify government land and, if the need arises, acquire plots near the highways for setting up industries.
“As there is no empty space to allot plots to new companies in Bokaro, Dhanbad and Giridih, the government will have to acquire fresh 1,000 acres to fulfil the growing demand for industries. We have taken the secretary’s recommendations seriously and actions will be taken on the other issues raised by him,” said Kumar.
The DC added that they were taking initiatives to create a better industrial atmosphere in Biada for which regular meeting are being held with entrepreneurs, PSU officials and chamber of commerce executives.
In the past four years, major industrial units like Jaypee Cement, Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, Bharat Cable Industries, Shreya Beverage, Shivani Enterprises, Sheetal Enterprises, Agasthya Enterprises and even Damodar Valley Corporation have been allotted plots at Balidih (Bokaro), Kandra (Dhanbad) and Giridih. Yet, demands from more companies continue to pour in.
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