MP skips new industry policy

Amid mounting pressure from the industries for immediate implementations of various issues, the Madhya Pradesh government has decided to skip its industry policy till the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. The delay may allow the state government to ponder over various suggestions submitted by the chambers. Earlier, the government had planned to launch it in February-March this year.

The State Industrial Promotion Policy 2004 is going to expire on March 31 this year and a number of important announcements made in the policy have not been notified so far.

“The policy will only come into effect after the general elections as the model code of conduct will be effective from the next month to May-June,” Kailash Vijayvergiya, minister for industries and commerce, told Busiess Standard. “We will plan the new policy in a fashion so that immediate notifications of various announcement can be made effective,” he added.

The new policy will focus on offering facilities, sops and concessions to horticulture and small and medium enterprises rather than offering exemptions to large-scale industries.

“Our focus is to promote agro-based industries so that farmers can get maximum benefit of their yield. To provide access to locally grown crops, fruit and vegetables, we will identify specific areas and create new infrastructure,” the minister added.

But the industries have a long-pending demand that the state government should start a confidence building exercise for existing industry with a clear, aggressive assurance for continuity of existing policies and its implementation.

“The state government should give priority to resolve issues which are still pending under the Industrial Promotion Policy 2004 and their immediate redressal will help industry to become competitive and survive in difficult time of recession,” said Rajendra Prasad chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry (MP Council).