In a major policy decision, a high-powered committee in Uttarakhand today cleared proposals of over 100 industrial units, including that of top notch companies like Tata Motors, HUL and Sterlite.
The committee, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister BC Khanduri, cleared the proposals, which were invited by State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (Sidcul) in July this year. All these companies were given land under the new allotment policy formulated recently by the government for Haridwar, Pantnagar, Kotdwar and Selaquie industrial areas, which are being developed by Sidcul.
For the allotment of land, the companies were bracketed in three broad categories. In the first category, the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) were given preferences with 25 per cent of land being reserved for them.
The main rush for the proposals was for the Haridwar integrated industrial estate where over 80 companies have applied for land. In view of the heavy rush, the committee tried to ensure that all the companies get a certain piece of land under the new policy. Nearly 67 small and medium industries were given 1,000 sq metre land each in Haridwar.
In the second category, nearly six industries were given approximately 2 acres of land each in Haridwar. In the third category, big companies like HUL, ITC and Sterlite were given preferences as the investment was heavy. Topping the list was Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), which was allotted 15 acres of land in Haridwar for expansion. Official sources said the company intends to invest Rs 500 crore for expansion. ITC got 9 acres of land in Haridwar where it wants to invest Rs 260 crore. Similarly, Sterlite was also allotted 4 acres of land there. Sterlite is planning to invest Rs 95 crore.
Nearly 18 investment proposals were also cleared for the Pantnagar industrial estate. Top companies like Tata Motors and Delta are among those which got land in Pantnagar.
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Besides this, two companies each were given land at Kotdwar and Selaquie.
With the special industrial package coming to an end on March 31, 2010, the government seems to be in hurry to generate more revenue and create maximum employment opportunities. These companies are also being assured that efforts would be mounted to get the package extended for three more years.