MEGHALAYA

OBJECTIVE OF POLICY:

With a view to take advantage of the liberalised economic scenario in the country, and also to keep pace with developments in the national industrial sector, government of Meghalaya has decided to frame a new industrial policy. The objective of this new policy are as follows:-

1. Generate employment opportunities for the local people in the industries and allied sectors.

2. Develop human resources and bring about improvements in the quality of life by promoting industries in sectors where the state has comparative advantage.

3. Achieve a balanced and growth oriented development covering the entire state through promotion of village and small scale industries.

4. Create a conducive environment for industrial development by creation of the basic infrastructural facilities and by setting up of industrial areas, growth centre and export promotion industrial park.

5. Encourage the setting up of selective medium and large industries by utilising the resource base of the state thereby ensuring sustainable industrial growth but compatible with ecological imperatives and hence encourage positive efforts towards the regeneration of the environment.

6. Provide preference to local Entrepreneurship in setting up of large, medium and small scale units.

7. Promote local interest through Joint ventures with external investors so as to facilitate technology transfer and capital flow by a package of suitable incentives.

8. Encourage need-based development of local entrepreneurial skills through intensive motivation and training programmes at district, sub-divisional and block levels.

9. Provide guidance to prospective entrepreneurs by building up a data bank of project-profiles and other connected information.

10. Simplify rules and procedures by providing a single-window clearance facility at the District Levels for the small scale sector and at the State Level for medium and large scale industries.

11. Promote the setting up of ancillary units for catering to the requirements of large and medium scale industries.

12. Identify sick units that can be made viable and provide a comprehensive package of assistance for their revival.

13. Promote and encourage high-value, low-volume products, in view of the transportation-bottlenecks in the State.

14. Encourage setting up of export-oriented, Agro based, Mineral- based, Horticultural based and Electronic units as thrust area.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INDUSTRIAL POLICY, 1997

The following are the salient features of the policy on industrial promotion:-

1. State Government welcomes the advent of advanced technologies and external investments, preferably in the joint sector, which would promote the economic development of the region.

2. State Government considers the public sector as an important agency to promote social justice and balanced growth. However in the context of on-going changes in the policies of the Government of India, the need for mitigating the growing unemployment, and constraints on budgetary resources. State Government welcomes private sector investment for rapid industrialisation and accelerated growth in the State. To encourage industrialisation along these lines, Government would provide need based budgetary support where required.

3. Along with the public and private sectors,the state Government looks upon the joint and assisted sectors as effective instruments for rapid industrialisation as well as for mobilisation of necessary resources and expertise in vital areas of economic activity.

4. State government recognises that improvement and upgradation of industrial infrastructure is essential for accelerated growth of industries. Emphasis would be on improvement in roads, construction and upgradation of airport, construction of ropeways improvement in communications and power supply and development of export promotion industrial park and growth centres with all connected facilities.

5. State Government would expedite suitable approval under the Meghalaya Land Transfer Act so as to facilitate investment in the industrial sector.

6. In case of sick/closed industrial units, State Government would assist in conducting diagnostic studies to enable to view to be taken, within a specific time frame, regarding the future of such units.

7. State Government has set up a Single Window Agency under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to provide time-bound decisions and clearances in respect of investment proposals, The Government will also constitute similar district level committee(s) for the concerned District(s) under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioners to ensure quick decision making for enabling effective setting up of industries.

8. State Government has decided that Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) will provide escort services for the large and medium scale industries under suitable terms and conditions.

9. In order to develop human resources through the upgradation of skills, training institutions would receive due attention. Association of Private Sector in this important activity would be encouraged.

10. Government will provide suitable assistance to prospective or deserving entrepreneur(s) for gaining knowledge about advanced technologies as also acquiring training for the same.