Diversify industries for balanaced economic growth: Industry MoS

Bhubaneswar, May 5 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Industry Aswini Kumar today stressed the need for setting up industrial units in the backward and non-industrial districts for a balanced economic growth.

After meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the union minister told news persons here said that instead of concentrating on Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, industrial units should be set up in all the 15 backward districts, including KBK areas, to resolve the problems of unemployment and increase in extremist tendencies among the youth of the locality and also achieve an even and balanced growth.

He said that out of the 30 districts in the state, at least 15 districts were backward with no industrial units.

''Instead of stressing on the mineral-based industries, the government should go for diversification and set up district and sector-specific micro, medium and small industries,'' he said and added, ''Industries like agro-based industries, leather food processing, automobile units should be set up which would give more employment.'' The Union Minister said the chief minister had directed his officials to prepare a list of industries to be set up in the district and submit a report to the union government soon.

Mr Naik said that instead of giving fiscal concession, the union government wanted to develop more enduring physical infrastcture like road and rail connectivity, power, which would put Orissa on the industrial map of the country.

During the discussion, the Union Minister also said that while the reason for the backwardness was discussed, the chief minister had stressed on the need for development of NH 215 that connected Keonjhar district, special development of KBK districts and the development of Ranchi-Bijawada road.

Mr Naik assured to take up the four laneing of the NH 215 with the Union Surface Transport Minister on his return to Delhi.

UNI BD LL DB1939