CM justifies setting up industrial units in Byrnihat

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday justified the Government’s move to set up industries in Byrnihat.
Replying to a question by HSPDP’s Ardent Basaiawmoit, Sangma said in the Assembly that despite challenges, the industries generated a lot of demand for raw materials and employment opportunities, thereby increasing the income of people and benefits to consumers.
However, he admitted that the quantum of investment has not been up to the mark.  The chief minister said 56 industries have been granted license by the single window agency at Byrnihat from January 1, 2008, to February 28, 2017.
The facilities provided to industrialists at Byrnihat are allotment of land in the Export Promotion Industrial Park and Extended Export Promotion Industrial Park, Byrnihat, benefits under the Meghalaya Industrial Policy, 1997, the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy, 2007, the Transport Subsidy Scheme, 1971, and the Freight Subsidy Scheme, 2013.
Basaiawmoit pointed out that these industrial units get a lot of subsidies but in turn they have not produced the desired results.
Water bodies In reply to a question by UDP’s Donkupar Roy, Soil and Water Conservation Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh said the expenditure on repairs, renovation and restoration of water bodies during the 12th Plan was Rs 33.50 lakh for 2014-15.
The location of the scheme is Umiam and its catchment areas.