State to be on India's industrial map soon, assures Minister Govindas
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 31 2012:
All necessary steps have been taken up by the State government to develop the industrial sector of the state and hopefully Manipur would be in the industrial map of the country, exclaimed Minister for Industries Govindas Konthoujam.
In an exclusive interview with Hueiyen Lanpao, Govindas admitted that Manipur has been lagging behind other states in the field of industrial development and pointed out that this is mainly because of absence of an Industrial policy in the State and also due to the outdated North East Industrial and Investment Policy which was instituted in 2007 .
Apart from this, the poor road networking, total absence of railway and water way facilities and unavailability of landing place for cargo flights add to underdevelopment of industrial sector in the State, he added.
"So, the need of the hour is to revamp the existing North East Industrial and Investment Policy with various new inputs to attract investors", the Minister said, while informing that necessary process is already underway.
Noting that the sole surface transport available in the State comes to frequent standstills and the non-friendly atmosphere prevailing in the State has discouraged investors from outside to come to Manipur for the last many years, the Minister, however, maintained that of late, the law and order situation in the State has improved and the State government would be ensuring enough security to all those who are willing to invest in the State.
The Minister pointed out that the State Cabinet has approved setting up of a timber park at Thoubal district and the Central Government is also likely to give its approval to a Rs 75 crores mega handloom Cluster project at Lamboikhongangkhong.
On the other hand, the works on the Food Park is also almost completed.
The only work left of the project is the construction of internal road and electrification.
Moreover, along with upgradation of the existing Industrial Estate at Takyel, the Central Government has also given approval for construction of an industrial estate in every district of the State.
Accordingly, the State Government is targeting to set up industrial estates in three districts for the first phase, the Minister added.