Govt to prepare master plans for state SEZs

Photo: Pithampur SEZ

BHOPAL: Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of some major IT companies including TCS and

Infosys are coming up in Indore. TCS has started begun construction work and Infosys has

started construction work for the boundary wall at its project site.

However, the investors feel a master plan for Pithampur SEZ should be prepared. The

government wants to prepare master plans for Pithampur SEZ and other SEZs of the state. At

present, SEZ units in Pithampur are suffering in absence of any such facility. One of the main

complaints of units operating in Pithampur is that despite the fact that SEZs are treated as

deemed foreign territory and hence are free from any kind of local taxation, they have received

notices from commercial taxes department and municipal bodies, asking them to pay their due

taxes.

The state government wants to introduce guidelines for preparing master plan for SEZ and

general development control regulation for SEZ. This will help streamline the entire process and

ensure the SEZ units get necessary approvals from a single agency instead of approaching

different agencies for various clearances. SEZ development commissioner has submitted a draft

in this regard to the town and country planning (T&CP) department.

The state government is likely to introduce a development control regulation (DCR) to

streamline the process of establishing special economic zones (SEZs) in the state. The DCR will

function like a single window clearance and will help the SEZs get permission for different

works and layout plans directly from the SEZ development commissioner. This will save time

and efforts in getting the clearances from different government offices. The move will empower

the SEZ development commissioner to give necessary permission to the SEZs that have already

been allotted land by the state government and received notifications for the SEZ status.

10 companies of SAF to prevent illegal sand mining from Chambal

Photo sand.jpeg

Bhopal: As many as 10 companies of SAF have been deployed to prevent illegal sand mining

from Chambal sanctuary in Morena district. This action has been taken consequent to the

directives given from time to time by Gwalior Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court. Chief

Secretary Shri Anthony de Sa had also given order regarding this recently.

Besides, 20 mobile parties have also been constituted for prevention of illegal mining of sand

round-the-clock. For effective action, 34 check-points have been set up and SAF jawans have

been deployed as per them.

According to Collector Shri Madan Kumar, in 23 cases of illegal sand mining since year 2012,

cases have been registered against 215 by name and 600 other accused persons. As many as 29

accused have been externed from district. Besides, action against 7 accused has been taken under

National Security Act.

At a meeting of Task Force Committee recently, it was decided that case will registered against

landowner if sand is found piled up illegally at an open space.

Pithampur industries face acute water shortage

Photo water-shortage.jpeg

INDORE: The Pithampur industry is staring at acute water shortage this summer as the levels in

the reservoirs is reducing rapidly. The problem is compounded by obsolete pumping system and

diversion of water for irrigation purposes.

"The problem is more acute in Sector 3. Many industrial units are either recycling water or

depending on water tankers," Pithampur Audhyogik Sangathan president Gautam Kothari told.

The two major sources of supply to the industrial area-divided into three sectors including the

special economic zone (SEZ)-are Sanjay Jalashay and Karam dam. Apart from the SEZ, the

official supply estimate is 80 lakh litres per day. However, according to the Pithampur industry

association, the supply falls short of the demand by 50%.

The situation is expected to be resolved in next two to three years when the Narmada-Shipra

Link project will become operational. The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC),

development corporation has already sanctioned the project estimated to cost `282 crore under

which water will be ferried from a distance of 28 km. The Narmada project will also supply

water to Betma industrial cluster.

The Pithampur industrial area has a demand of 18 MLD (million litres a day) of water while the

project will supply 30 MLD once the first phase becomes operational. Pithampur will need more

water when existing industries will expand and new investments take place.

Two years ago, delay in the onset of monsoon and the resultant water shortage had forced

industries in the region to curtail production. Some companies had even suspended production,

as operations had become unsustainable. Water intensive industries including textiles,

pharmaceuticals and tyre-makers were hit the hardest. In fact, water shortage had forced Grasim

Industries to suspend operations at its Nagda plant.

A study conducted by a government appointed consultant under DMIC project has found that

water supply to Pithampur industrial area is highly inefficient and water is also being illegally

tapped by the surrounding villages. Pithampur, which is also home to SEZ, has more than 400

medium and large-scale industries including some big names such as Cipla, Eicher Motors and

Cummins Turbo.