Asom to set up special Industrial Secretariat

Guwahati, Jul 26 (UNI) Asom Industry and Commerce Minister Pradyut Bordoloi today said that an industrial investment secretariat would be opened soon to provide speedy clearance to investors willing to set up industries within the notified industrial areas in the state.

Replying to a call attention motion by former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, the minister, admitting that the concern was genuine, said the government was keen to remove the 'license raj' prevailing in the department.

Mr Bordoloi said despite efforts of the government, the single window clearance promised by successive governments in Asom could not be achieved.

He assured the amendment to some of the provisions of the state's Industrial Policy, 2003, if required, after analysing the difficulties found by the entrepreneurs and investors.

Earlier, raising the issue, Mr Mahanta, quoting newspaper reports, as saying the red-tapism in the government departments continued to create hurdles for the investors despite assurances in the Industrial Policy of 2003.

He alleged that many units could not get permission for extension of capacity and starting of new plants. He also pointed out that neighbouring Meghalaya was providing clearance only from three tables so that investors or industrialists need not to move from table to table.

UNI XC MT PC DB1836