Uttarakhand makes changes in land allotment policy

The Uttarakhand government has decided to allot plots at all its industrial estates on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.

“Our policy is simple – first-come, first-served. We are allotting all our plots through this policy,” said Uttarakhand Industry Minister Bansidhar Bhagat to Business Standard, expressing his views on the present allotment system developed by the State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Limited (SIDCUL).

Last October, the SIDCUL had invited applications for allotment of all its remaining plots with October 25 being the last date. However, there was an oblique criticism to this policy, with a section of industrialists stating that there was no transparency in the system and alleged that some applications which came late, were also entertained.

However, Bhagat said, all these allegations were false and that the plots were being allotted only on the basis of first-come, first-served. “If you have a specific case, please bring to our notice so that we can inquire,” Bhagat said.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Industries, S Ramaswamy said that all the plots in Haridwar have been allotted and there was no space left there. “We have been left with very few plots at Pantnagar industrial estate now,” he said.

After the expiration of the cent per cent excise rebate for industries in Uttarakhand last year, the industrialisation process there has developed sluggishness as far as the new manufacturing units are concerned.