STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: It's something brain-racking! A few middle and small entrepreneurs willing to set up industries in the state cannot do so as land is scarce. A section of entrepreneurs has occupied lands and sheds in industrial estates for years at throwaway prices. The Industries Department allots lands and sheds to entrepreneurs in its industrial estates. The lease rentals in maximum industrial estates in the state range from 50 paise to Rs 4 per square foot for land and shed together. This rate continues for around 30 years.
Integrated industrial infrastructure development was the concept behind industrial estates in the state. The purpose was to give a fillip to the entrepreneurs. The state has such industrial estates as Bhomoraguri, Senchowa, Raha, Missa, Nalbari, Bongaigaon, Bihpuria, Bokajan, Sonapur, Banderdewa, Bamunimaidam etc. Most of the entrepreneurs have left their lands and sheds unused. Many entrepreneurs stopped their industries but they continue to occupy lands and sheds. Some entrepreneurs even erected multi-storeyed buildings on such land. Some other entrepreneurs are using such land and shed for other purposes.
The department issued a notification in 2007 to hike the lease rentals, but a section of entrepreneurs challenged it in the High Court. The issue got stuck in the court.
According to sources, rental at the Senchowa Industrial Estate in Nagaon is 50 paisa per sq foot for the land and shed. This industrial estate is under 28 entrepreneurs.
Likewise, in the industrial estate at Bamunimaidam in Guwahati, the department allotted a big plot of land to a big industrial unit at the rate of around Rs 4 per square foot.
Many industrial estates in the state are under the occupation of the CRPF for years. Of course, in the new industrial estates at Amingaon, Chhaygaon etc., the government leases out the plots through bidding. The lease rents in such estates are high.
The need of the hour is a thorough survey by the department to ascertain the number of industries still active and how many of them are just occupying the lands and sheds. The lease rates need a revision, if need be, by giving more facilities to the entrepreneurs.
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