Administering the Industrial Policy
The main objective of the Directorate of Industries is to promote and facilitate the growth of the small scale industries (SSIs) in the State for which,31 District Industries Centres (DICs) have been establihsed in different parts of the State. The State Government has always accorded high priority to the SSI Sector on account of the vital role it plays in the process of econonic development by value addition, employment generation, mobilisation of capital and entrepreneurial skills.
In order to take full advantage of the liberalised economic and industrial regime and forge ahead with its programme of industrialisation,the State Government formulated a new industrial policy in 1996(IP 96) to spell out the strategies and modalities to translate this commitment into concrete action. Its primary objective is to harness Orissa's vast natural resources, develop backward areas, strengthen the rural economy and generate employment. Among the strategies adopted for achieving the objectives of IP 96 is to provide greater support to small scale industries and to make special efforts for rehabilitation of viable sick industries.
The IP 96 provides attractive incentives to the new industrial units which are established in the State. The incentives include, inter alia, capital investment subsidy, sales tax incentives, land at concessional rate, interest subsidy, exemption from electricity duty, supply of water at concessional rate, exemption from octroi, concessions in payment of stamp duty etc. The Directorate of Industries administers the various provisions of the Industrial Policy and allows the various incentives and facilities under the Ip in respect of different categories of industries.
The State Government has formulated a PERT Chart for setting up new industrial units and this Directorate monitors that the various clearance/ approvals are issue by the various State Government agencies in a time bound manner. In case of any problem in grounding of industrial projects, the State Level Empowered Committee under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, Industries, with representatives of the concerned Departments, sorts out interdepartmental problems. As regards sick but viable SSI units, assistance like margin money, soft loan and IP benefits, whenever required, are provided for reviaval on a to case basis.
The Directorate of Industries also maintains an updated industrial data bank and undertakes project identification on a continuous basis so that a shelf of projects with latest information and data is available to the intrepreneurs. Services of reputed consultans are hired for preparing project reports and project profiles. Besides, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and Industrial Campaigns are organised in various parts of the State by the Directorate of Industries.
