Date:25/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/25/stories/2006112501502100.htm

Back SSIs for relocation of units from old industrial estates

Our Bureau

Fapsia has formulated a scheme, Rajiv Udyoga Sikshana Pathakam, to train youth. Plea to allocate unused HMT land near Hyderabad

Our Bureau

Hyderabad Nov. 24

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Small Industries Associations (Fapsia), has called upon the Government to allocate 100 acres of unused land of HMT Ltd, near here, to help relocate about 3,600 small units from three industrial estates based around the city.

The President of Fapsia, Mr V.L.N Reddy, said that small and tiny units based in industrial estates of Balanagar and Fatehnagar and around the city in other non-industrial areas are facing a host of challenges including infrastructure.

To help them, he suggested that land from HMT be acquired and earmarked for relocation.

Most of these units are dependent on orders from agencies such as HAL, NRSA and other defence establishments and locating a park with all these centres would help SSIs, he said.

Speaking at the SSI meet here late on Thursday, Mr Reddy said that small units have unique requirements and concerns and the Government must provide a focussed approach to development that would boost them to take up new challenges in the competitive environment.

GOVT LAUDED

While complimenting the State Government, Mr Reddy said that the repeal of stamp duty and withdrawal of Nala Tax for SSI, rebate on power, 15 to 25 per cent subsidy, and lower registration cost have provided much relief.

Urging the Government for early release of subsidies, Mr Reddy said that an exclusive foundry park would create the necessary base infrastructure to attract automotive industries to the State. There is a proposal to establish mini-tool room-cum-training centres at Kadapa and Medak districts.

While advocating setting up of exclusive industrial parks dedicated to small-scale industries, he said that there is acute shortage of trained manpower for SSIs.

As against total requirement of about 1.2 lakh of skilled workforce, the industry is able to attract barely 30 per cent. To boost employability, Fapsia has formulated a scheme, Rajiv Udyoga Sikshana Pathakam, to train youth.

Backed by the Rs 20-crore AP Sick Small Scale Industrial Revival and Rehabilitation Scheme-2006 and supported by APSFC, some 27 drought- affected sick rice mills have been revived.