Bhubaneswar: Government of Odisha’s Department of Industries had launched a district-wise formal engagement initiative named ‘Industry Care’ in December last year to raise awareness about business reforms and institutional mechanisms among industries and resolve their issues with various Government departments on a high priority basis. The engagement was also aimed at facilitating the expansion of new units coming up in the State. The fifth meeting under this priority State Government initiative was held with Balasore, Bhadrak and Keonjhar-based industries today at the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation’s (IDCO) office in Bhubaneswar.
Balasore, Bhadrak and Keonjhar are critical to Odisha’s industrialization and many industries across sectors operating in these districts have planned expansion. The meeting was attended by 17 companies including Dhamra Port Company Limited (Adani Ports), Emami Cement, Welspun, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Ardent Steel, Oriplast among others.
The meeting began with a presentation on all the business reforms and facilitation mechanisms institutionalized by the State Govt. This was followed by a discussion on industry feedback to the business reforms implemented by the State Govt. One-on-one meetings with companies which had specific issues were conducted. The meeting was co-chaired by Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary, Industries Department & Chairman, IPICOL along with Shri Sanjay Singh, CMD, IDCO and Dr. Nitin Jawale, MD, IPICOL. The senior officials from State Level Facilitation Cell (SLFC), Odisha State Pollution Control Board, Directorate of Factories & Boilers, Directorate of Fire Services were present apart from officials of senior officials from IPICOL and IDCO.
Commenting on the initiative during the meeting, Shri Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, Government of Odisha said, “We are happy to note the encouraging response from industries in Balasore, Bhadrak and Keonjhar who came forward to discuss their issues with us for time-bound resolution under the “Industry Care” initiative. The Industries Department launched this initiative as the need for focused attention on grievance redressal at district level was felt. The objective of this initiative, being organized on a fortnightly basis, is to raise awareness about business reforms and facilitation mechanisms made available by the State Government and resolve the issues faced by industries with various Government departments. This stems from the fact that existing industries are the most critical stakeholders of Odisha’s industrial ecosystem. The response from industries to this initiative has been encouraging and we are committed to help address their issues in a streamlined and expeditious manner.”
Sharing an industry perspective, Mr. Subrat Tripathy, CEO, Dhamra Port Company Limited, one of the industry participants in the meeting said, “I congratulate the Industries Department for coming up with the “Industry Care” initiative where issues faced by industries across the State are discussed and steps for early resolution are taken. This is a welcome step forward to enhance the ease of doing business in the State and augur well for the industrial scenario of the State. I urge my industry colleagues to benefit from this initiative.”
Offering a homegrown entrepreneur’s perspective, Mr. Ashish Agarwal, Executive Director, Oriplast said, “This is a very good initiative by the Industries Department. While it is natural that issues will come up while operating an industrial unit, the intent and efforts of the State Government to resolve the issues is indeed praiseworthy.”
Notably, the Department has undertaken a series of business reforms to enhance ease of doing business in the state. These include the launch of Government of Odisha – Single Window for Investor Facilitation and Tracking (GO-SWIFT), consent management system for various applicable environmental Acts for industries made online, synchronized joint inspection for Directorate of Factories and Boilers, Labour Directorate and Odisha State Pollution Control Board, reduction in timeline for tree transit permission from 180 days to 43 days, voluntary compliance scheme for industries and commercial establishments, building plan approval made online and to be provided within 30 days, issuance of e-stamp certificates introduced, grant of registration certificate under professional tax to be provided ordinarily within one day, temporary allocation of water for construction of industries for 6 months is ensured within a period of 30 days from the date of submission of the application among others.
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