Patna, Jan. 19: The industries department is mulling facilitating accommodation for employees of potential industries coming up on land leased out by Bihar Industrial Development Authority (Biada).

Accordingly, the department is planning to hold a meeting with Bihar State Housing Board (BSHB) under the urban development department to discuss the issue.

Sources said the department was planning to earmark portions of plots, which Biada leases out to investors, for residential colonies comprising playground, living quarters and schools.

“After acquiring plots, Biada leases them out for setting up industries for 90 years, with no provision for anything residential on them. Big units have sizeable labour force, which gets scattered because of lack of proper accommodation. So, the state government is contemplating a policy under which a part of the Biada land could be earmarked for construction of housing complexes. Accommodation and facilities like schools could be provided to employees of big units,” a department official told The Telegraph.

The official said the department would soon hold a detailed discussion on the same with the BSHB and the urban development department.

“The department would hold talks with the board and the urban development department in this connection to work out an easy but concrete plan. For example, if Biada has given a plot to a unit with 500 employees, a part of the same land could have residential quarters, a small playground and a school for employees and their families. These can vary upon the size of the workforce and some other regulations. A final plan would take shape taking into account all factors after which it would be presented to the cabinet,” another department official told The Telegraph.

Sources said any investor given land by Biada on lease was only for industrial purposes.

“Suppose an investor gets the land for manufacture of tyres but after some years, finds the business not profitable and wants to switch to some other form of business such as food products. The investor would need to take permission from Biada for a changeover. The plan is expected to take shape soon,” a source said.