UDRI finds loopholes in industrial policy

The Urban Design Research Institute (UDRI) has written to the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan highlighting several loopholes in the industrial policy. They also allege that the policy is slanted towards the developers.

The reputed city-based organisation researches on urban issues and has done a critical analysis of the state’s industrial policy by highlighting its repercussions in future.
Pankaj Joshi, executive director of UDRI said the policy favours private developers.

“It does not emphasise on industrial development for the state at all. The policy is more of a housing policy than an industrial one. It does not even talk about safeguarding the environment and ecological impact due change in policy and massive construction which will take place,” he said adding that the government must rectify the lacunas at the earliest.

DNA has consistently highlighted that due to this policy, 23,000 acres of land will be unlocked for residential and commercial purpose across the state. Also, the development on this area is conservatively pegged worth over Rs2, 000, 00 crore.Joshi said, as per the policy, the builder has to develop the area in their possession within 10 years.

“However, the government does not talk about what action will be taken against the corporate firm or developers who fail to keep the deadline. This is the most ambiguous policy,” he said.
Another question is that once the area is developed, who will govern it?

“The need to specify if a separate body will be formed or it will be governed by the municipality or panchayat. Or will they have their own rules where government bodies will not interfere. It should all be clarified,” Joshi said.

Senior officials from the state industrial department said that people have to submit their suggestions and objections.

“If their views are valid and carry certain value, then it will be incorporated in the proposed policy,” an official said.