Centre sends special incentives to NE states under IID scheme

Shillong, May 30 (UNI) Under the Integrated Infrastructural Development(IID) Scheme, the Union Ministry of Small Scale Industries has alloted a special incentive for the NE Region with a provision of Central grant upto 80 per cent of the project cost.

However, official sources said today, this scheme is valid for maximum project cost of Rs four crore.

This scheme was taken up to boost the growth of Small Scale Industries.

In other states, the Central government provides 40 per cent of the project cost as grant, limited to a maximum of Rs two crore.

The approval for setting up of 13 centres in various NE states have been approved and a sum of Rs 30.36 crore has been released to the IID centres till December 2006, sources added.

The IID scheme aims at providing basic infrastructural facilities like power distribution network, water, roads, telecommunication, drainage and pollution control facility, banks, storage and marketing outlets, common service facilities and technological back up services etc. to enable establishment of small scale and tiny units, thereby creating employment opportunities and increasing exports.

The scheme covers both rural and urban areas and also provides for upgradation or strengthening of infrastructural facilities in existing industrial estates.

A sum of Rs 38.62 crore has been earmarked exclusively for NE Region and Rs 25.31 crore has already been incurred on various developmental activities in the NE Region.

UNI