Patna, Feb. 15: The industries department has begun appointing independent specialists to help develop five different segments of the manufacturing sector.

This comes over a month after the state government talked about creation of hubs for specific areas in the manufacturing sector.

Department officials told The Telegraph that the appointments in the processing, leather technology, textiles, plastic and steel segments would be completed by March and those selected would play an important role towards developing the manufacturing sector in the state.

“Under industries, the state’s present focus is on the manufacturing sector. The food processing industry is a part of the same sector in which the state has been doing a good job. However, there are other sub-sectors within the manufacturing sector, which require a look. The department feels if those sub-sectors are nurtured, those can bring in big investments. For the same reason, the government, in November last year, had formed a special task force comprising senior department officials, for the development of the manufacturing sector,” said a senior department.

Sources said the department had invited applications from experts for the five sub-sectors.

“The department is looking for experts in food processing, leather, textiles, plastic and steel. The department wants people who are technically qualified in all these five fields. However, any independent agency, with expertise in these fields, can also apply. For now, an expression of interest has been released for the positions of food processing specialist, leather technology specialist, textile engineer, plastic engineer and steel industry specialist. Applicants must hold a PhD in the sectors they apply for and a working experience of at least 10 years. The applications would be screened and the best would be selected. More sub-sectors in manufacturing would be included,” said another official.

The development commissioner heads the 13-member task force formed last year for the manufacturing sector. All members are bureaucrats, including the department principal secretary. The task force met for the first time on December 12 last year and held talks about setting up hubs for the sub-sectors.

“The consultants would work closely with the department and the task force to suggest ways of developing the sub-sectors. The government is planning a separate policy for each sub-sector,” added the official.