The Orissa government has decided to frame a new policy for the development of special investment regions (SIR) near upcoming ports in the state such as Dhamara in Bhadrakh district.
The state owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) has roped in IL&FS to conduct detail feasibility study and draft the policy. The consultant would submit the report by the end of March this year after which it would be considered by the state government, sources familiar with the development said.
Different models of SIR Act prevailing in states like Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pardesh are being examined by the consultant with an aim to draft the best possible policy keeping in view the local conditions.
“We have already appointed IL&FS to draft the SIR policy in the state. The government would take a view after the consultant submits the report”, a senior official of the state industry department told Business Standard. Sources said, the proposed policy will take a cue from the SIR Act of Gujarat, which emphasizes on development of SIRs near port sites. It will also have provisions for setting up of an Industrial Area Development Authority in line with the Greater Noida Development Authority (GNDA), infrastructure planning and zoning among others.
IL&FS, after studying the contemporary models in operation in other parts of the country, will suggest the policy framework and the legal changes required in the existing system for implementation of the policy. At the same time, the consultant will take the required precaution to avoid uneven and haphazard growth like the one that happened in the port town of Paradeep. This assumes importance as despite being a major port and having many other industries in its vicinity, no major township or civic area could be developed at Paradeep.