Patnaik asks officials to resolve problems of industries

Worried over the inordinate delay in implementation of mega projects, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asked the officials to set time limit for resolving the problems faced by major industries.
Patnaik issued this direction while reviewing progress of major projects in the state.
"The chief minister also suggested the departments to place problems before the Cabinet on required policy changes if they (policies) pose hurdles before implementation of mega projects," an official release said.
The chief minister also stressed on fast tracking the mega projects as they would generate revenue and provide employment to a large number of people.

As many projects face difficulties at the ground level due to land acquisition and other problems, Patnaik said the authorities concerned need to be given responsibility to finish specific work within specific time line.
Of the 92 MoUs signed in the steel, power, cement and aluminium sector, 43 units have started production while 7 others were under construction stage. However, 27 others are still struggling to acquire land.

Fifteen signed companies could not pick up due to various reasons, the release said, adding, similar was the case for non-MoU signed projects. Of the total 224 projects under non-MoU signed category, only 24 have started production.

While land acquisition is a major problem for the mega projects, non-availability of NOC (no objection certificate) from the state owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), raw material linkage, forest and environment clearance and water availability are some of the major problems creating hurdles for smooth implementation of mega projects, officials said.
However, the chief minister has indicated that the state government would not hesitate to amend certain policies for expediting industrial activities in the state.
As per the decision of the meeting, Patnaik would review progress of mega project implementation during the second week of every month.