Firms seek sops for industrial growth

Hyderabad: Industry brass and representatives of industry associations, while lauding Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for his radical, no-nonsense industry-friendly approach to develop Telangana, sought a series of sops to help accelerate industrial growth and encourage new units.

Top most favours sought include 24x7 power supply, tax incentives, reduction of taxes compared to neighbouring states, hassle free clearances, allotment of land at affordable prices, check on harassment  by PCB and other government agencies, among others.

Several industrialists in the small scale sector complained of power cuts, which led to closure of industries, lack of finance, heavy penalties imposed by government agencies, among others. Women entrepreneurs sought support from the government.

The CM who sat through five hours at the interactive meet, sought the industry’s help in formulating an ideal industrial policy and single window clearance system.

“Licence raj is gone yet investors have to come to the government for various clearances. There are 25 to 36 clearances required to set up an industry, which will be given in two weeks to 21 days, while PCB will take time,” the Chief Minister said.