India's first industrial nucleus reels under misery

Goindwal, Sep 17 (UNI) The Punjab government is still to come up with a white paper on the reasons for the failure of the country's first industrial nucleus complex in this town on the banks of the river Beas.

The nucleus was envisaged in 1980 by the then Union Minister of State for Industries Dr Charanjit Chanana, who chose this obscure town, the 'home' of the third Sikh Guru Amar Dass, for this ambitious project. Instead of a prosperous nucleus, the town turned into a industrial graveyard when terrorism took a firm grip in the border state, particularly in Tarn Taran district.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his visit to Amritsar in March this year had asked the state government to prepare a paper on the reasons for the failure of the industrial nucleus.

'' We will provide whatever financial help is required for this project'', he added.

Goindwal Industries Welfare Association President Mangal Singh when contacted today lamented that over the years they had met a number of Governors, Chief Ministers and Union ministers to highlight their problems. ''But unfortunately so far besides assurances no one has come forward with any concrete proposal to revive the industry here'', he said.

Mr Singh said they had met Union Minister of state for Industries Ashwani Kumar and even Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh demanding waiving of outstanding loan and repayments made by entrepreneurs.

''We have even met Dr Manmohan Singh and narrated our woes'', he added.

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