Singh: Expansion plan

Jamshedpur, Aug. 27: In an effort to boost industrialisation in the state, the Arjun Munda government has asked the industrial area development authorities to expand their areas of operation.

Industries secretary Arun Kumar Singh told The Telegraph that the four industrial area development authorities, at Adityapur (Aiada), Bokaro (Biada), Ranchi (Riada) and Santhal Pargana (Spiada), have been asked to expand their jurisdiction for industrial development.

According to Singh, Aiada will support industrialisation efforts in neighbouring East and West Singhbhum in addition to Seraikela-Kharsawan, where it is located.

Similarly, Biada will cover the entire north Chhotanagpur region while Spiada will look after industries in Dumka, Sahebganj, Pakur, Godda, Jamtara and Deoghar.

The industries secretary announced the move during a review meeting with the authorities of the four industrial areas at Adityapur yesterday.

Other senior officials, including state industries director, Rahul Kumar Purwar, were also present at the review meeting.

The jurisdictions of the four industrial area development authorities were fixed during the deliberations.

Singh said the state industries department would soon prepare fresh guidelines on expansion of the geographical areas of the development authorities for necessary implementation.

This is the first time such a measure has been adopted to expand the jurisdiction of the industrial area development authorities, the senior official claimed.

Sources in the industries department said a decision to increase the command areas for the four development authorities was taken keeping in mind the proposed investments by big-ticket industrial entities such as the Jindals and Mittals.

“Expanding the jurisdiction of the industrial area development authorities would not only promote industrialisation in the state but also ensure better infrastructure facilities. It is a welcome step by the industries department,” said H.N. Ram, secretary of Aiada.

The Aiada official pointed that the industrial area development authorities have also been asked to prepare data banks for exporting units.

With the exception of Aiada, no other industrial area development authorities was found to maintain a proper data bank on exporting units during a recent review by the industries department.