Haryana industry demands ‘free industrial zones’

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

To boost industrialisation in the state, the Haryana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) has demanded the creation of ‘free industrial zones’ in the state.

In a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar as part of the suggestions invited by the Haryana Government for inclusion in the new industrial policy, the HCCI demanded the industry should be allowed to directly purchase land from the farmers to set up “free industrial zones”. The government should provide requisite infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water for such zones for which the external development charges (EDC) could be charged, the memorandum said.

Pleading for reduction of power tariff, which currently varied from Rs 9-11 per unit, Vishnu Goyal, chairman of the Panchkula district of the HCCI, said the cost of power was the highest in the state in the region.

The chamber also demanded tax concession on a par with Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand so that the state’s industry could compete with the industry of these states. Moreover, it demanded the opening of more industrial training institutes and technical institutions near the industrial estates to meet the demand for skill manpower.

It demanded that pollution consent should not be required from the non-polluting industries. Besides, common effluent treatment plants should be created at designated industrial areas.

The industry body demanded that the Panchkula Industrial Area should be allowed to have service sector industries, air cargo spaces, warehousing facilities, health and related industries so that the industry could benefit from the start of international airport at Chandigarh.

The memorandum also demanded an end to the Inspector Raj and introduction of self-certification in all industries.