THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The LDF government on Friday released its maiden industrial policy that lays thrust on private industrial parks and special cells for single window clearance.
Industries Minister A C Moideen, while releasing the draft document, said the policy aims to make the state among the top 10 states that achieve economic progress by promoting industries and employment generation. The eco-system envisaged would maintain the social and environment harmony.
The policy has given major thrust to expanding the role of public sector units, in line with the LDF policy. It includes establishing a major plant for developing titanium, a petrochemical hub, a cashew board for raw nut procurement, incentives for traditional industries. The government will establish contributory pension schemes in profitable PSUs.
Public private partnership (PPP) has been given thrust to promote private industrial parks. The government will provide infrastructure in approved parks on PPP basis. The minister said disputed industrial projects such Gwalior Rayon at Mavoor and Aluminium Industries at Kundara would be revived after the owners showed interest. The draft policy will be finalised after holding discussion with various stakeholders, said Moideen.
Single Window Clearance
The draft policy plans to remove the existing bottlenecks in achieving single window clearance. Investment Promotion and Facilitation Centre and a project management unit will be set up with KSIDC as the nodal agency. At the district-level a special unit will be set up under District Collectors to ensure faster processing of application.
The investors will be able to monitor the progress of application online. “At present, the District Industrial Centre will apply in various departments, on the basis of application received from entrepreneur. But each department takes time to process it.
A dedicated cell consisting of officials from relevant departments can process the applications faster,” said KSIDC managing director M Beena.
The state is far below in ‘ease of doing business’ index despite the availability of skilled population and other social parameters. The ranking has slipped from 18 to 20.