Jabalpur garment makers seek cheap land

Jabalpur garment manufacturers, more than 600 in number, have asked for concessions in land rates for the proposed Rs 50 crore garment complex or garment cluster.

The district administration and the department of industries have reportedly identified an area in Gurandi, a prime commercial locality where "land rates are as high as Rs 300"�350 per square feet".

"They should be allotted land at Rs 125 per square feet," said Small-Scale and Medium Enterprise Council Chairman Archana Bhatnagar.

Earlier, the district industries centre had identified a place in the Richhai industrial area but manufacturers are not ready to move there.

Initially, the project was estimated at Rs 27 crore, which may go up to Rs 50 crore under the "Industrial Upgrade Plan". Bhatnagar feels land prices are unaffordable for the tiny units.

The cluster is being developed under a central government scheme, with tiny unit owners expected to contribute 15 per cent of the cost of the project. The central government will contribute 75 per cent and the MP government the rest.

"Land allotment rules have been framed and will be announced soon. We will look into the issue of concession," said Kailash Chawla, industry and commercial tax minister.

The cluster development plan include facilities like a community centre, a market centre, sheds for units, a complex for guests and transportation are to be planned on an area of 10 acres.

The readymade garment-manufacturing business generates Rs 10 crore a year in Jabalpur and provides employment to 10,000 people directly and indirectly.