Focus on small units for hill development: CII

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has called for focusing on the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in order to boost the economy of the hilly region in Uttarakhand.

In its new report “Development Strategy for Hill Districts of Uttarakhand,” CII said that under the new Integrated Industrial Development Policy 2008, which was launched early this year, agro-based small scale industries and cottage industries should be promoted for the development of hill states.

The CII report said industrial activity in the hilly region can be tapped from local agro-based industry. Herbs, fruits, frozen tulsi, fruit juices, jams are products around which SMEs can be set up.

Handicrafts, shawls, woollen and hosiery are other products which have the potential to boost SMEs in the region. “There is need to provide latest technology and easy accessibility of raw materials to improve the output,” the report said.

To facilitate SME development, the land acquisition process should be handled with sensitivity, stable power supply should be provided by the state government, single window clearance should be provided and licences should be made available in 3 days.

The report also asked the government to create a task force for vocational training with active participation of the local industries.

Vocational training in activities like dairy processing, poultry, papad making, mushroom, bee-keeping, quilt making and other small businesses should be imparted.

The report advises SMEs to tie up with the with Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) Lucknow for research and development in pharmaceuticals, aromatics and cosmetic industries. This will help in adding value to the agri products. Seed testing laboratories, organic certification centres should be developed in the hills.

Dinesh Jain, chairman, CII Uttarakhand State Council, said: “The model for the hill development should essentially be based on the competitive advantage of the specific regions and should also be more community oriented.”