Orissa to give top priority to revival of small industries

Focuses on SMEs despite heavy investments in large industries in the state.

The Orissa government will continue to focus on the development and the revival of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), despite the current phase of flow of investment for establishment of large industries in the state.

The MSME sector is acknowledged as the true vehicle for economic growth, said chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Inaugurating the 4th 'Entrepreneurship Week' organised on the 92nd birthday of late Biju Patnaik, he said special efforts are being made to promote forward and backward linkages of mega and large industries with MSMEs to optimise the multiplier effect of the current industrialisation process.

It is being achieved through the development of ancillary and downstream industries through setting up of sector-specific industrial parks.

"To facilitate ancillary and downstream industrial development in the state, the government has already notified constitution of Plant Level Consultative Committees (PLCC) for large and mega industries and projects in the private sector", the chief minister said.

Besides, for developing skills, entrepreneurship development programmes (EDPs) are being organised throughout the state to motivate the youth to adopt self employment as a preferred economic pursuit.

Stating that agriculture being the linchpin of Orissa's economy, he said the government continues to give maximum priority to this sector.

Hence, the industrialisation process in the state has not undermined the government's realisation that agriculture still remains the mainstay of the state's economy, providing a large number of employment, he added.

"It has been given due importance as a strong resource base for value addition, employment generation and economic growth", Patnaik remarked.

Chinmay Basu, Commissioner-secretary, industries department said, the current surge in industrialisation has created tremendous scope for the development of the ancillary and downstream industries.

Agro-industries, food processing and tourism sectors, which have vast employment potential, will be in focus of the week-long deliberations, he pointed out.

Tourism and Excise minister Devi Prasad Misra said, unless the cottage and the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector develops, it will not be possible to generate large-scale employment opportunities. Adoption of industrial clusters by large industries can enhance self employment opportunities in the state.

Energy, IT and culture minister S N Patro said, the Orissa government has created an environment for industrialisation in the state. The government plans to spend about Rs 5,000 crore in the next 2-3 years on rural electrification.

While Rs 1,000 crore will be spent under Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana, about Rs 4,000 crore will be spent under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

The state government has got approval for implementation of RGGVY in 21 more districts and this will necessitate several auxiliary works for the small entrepreneurs of the state. The work will require about 25-30 more cement poll manufacturing units and the government will enter into tie ups with them, he said.

Biswa Bhushan Harichandan, the industry minister said that the government has initiated various measures for the development of the SMEs in the state. Orissa State Financial Corporation (OSFC), which mainly lends to such units, is also in the process of being revived.