FICNER asks Kamal Nath to announce new industrial policy for NE

New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) The Federation of Industries and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FICNER) has urged the Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath, to announce the new Industrial policy for the North Easter Region (NER) states.

A delegation of FICNER called on the Commerce and Industry Minister here yesterday and submitted a memorandum in this regard asking for intervention in this issue at the earliest as the investment to that region has virtually stopped following the granting of the same Industrial policy benefits and incentives to the Northern States of jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

The delegation pointed out that the metter was already brought to the notice of his ministry but so far no outcome has come.

Federation President S K Jain, told newsmen here last evening that following the granting of the same industrial benefits to the three Norther States over Rs 10,000 crores worth of investment been diverted to HP and Uttaranchal.

Mr Jain pointed out that statistics are witness to the fact that till now Baddi in HP has attracted investment worth Rs 18,000 crores, besides investment of Rs 4,000 crores to Uttaranchal and Rs 2,000 crores to Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the region was been given an impression by the Centre that a new North Eastern Industrial Policy (NEIP) will be announced very soon and a policy for HP, J and K and Uttaranchal will be restricted only upto March 31, 2007 in order to recoup the damage occured in the North Eastern Region.

In the meantime, the policies in these States have been extended by another three years, causing shock to the entire NER, Mr Jain added.

The more the delay in announcement to this new industrial policy, the more the damage for the NER.

Mr Jain said the restoration of proper industrial climate would also help in bringing early and speedy normalcy in the region.

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