Morung Express News
January 25 | Dimapur
NAGALAND TODAY witnessed a milestone in industrial development with the inauguration of the Industrial Growth Center (IGC) and Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) at Ganeshnagar. The mini industrial city, about 35 kilometers away from Dimapur was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio. The 1000 acres mini township is a centrally sponsored project set up at a cost of 30 crores in 1997-98 to promote industrial growth and development in Nagaland under the department of Industries and Commerce and the Nagaland Industrial Development Corporation (NIDC). The IGC and EPIP have all the basic required facilities including police station, post office, fire services, hospital, school, telecom center, power station, community hall, health and medical center, separate housing complex, shopping complex, daily market sheds and even a playground and a children’s park. The EPIP implemented by NIDC has three industrial sheds, special designed factory, administrative building and sufficient plot to develop stalls for industrialists and entrepreneurs. Through the EPIP, units will export goods with tax-exemption while capital goods will be imported duty free.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister said that industrialization is an extremely important component of the development process in a human society. It is in this backdrop that the Government of Nagaland has been endeavoring to evolve various policies and ways to promote industries in our State, he said. Adding a new chapter to industrial development, the genesis of the IGC and EPIP was conceived and now functional, said the Chief Minister. He however lamented that our experiences in the past has not been very encouraging mostly due to adverse law and order situation which generated unfavorable industrial climate. But with the inauguration of these industrial centers we have to gain momentum for industrial growth in the State, he stated. He therefore called up on the entrepreneurs to take up the initiative to set up industries and to avail the opportunity of State-sponsored industrial activities. He stated that our economic growth is being sustained only because of the agriculture and service sector so it was time that we focus on opportunities and our strength and evolve an appropriate vision for development of industries in the State.
“The process of these industrialization is no more in the hands of the government, it has to be the entrepreneurs who has to take the initiative to set up the industries”, Rio said, adding that the government can only play the role of facilitator and create the basic infrastructures like the growth centers. He reminded that tremendous opportunities await entrepreneurs and industrialists of Nagaland in various spheres but that industrialization cannot take place in an atmosphere of violence, he added. And therefore DAN Government is committed to help and facilitate to provide solution so that an acceptable solution to the long standing political Naga issue is formed, the Chief Minister said.
Conclusively, he made a fervent appeal to the youths to ‘move away from the present mindset of depending on the State government for their livelihood but start taking up private enterprise and entrepreneurship’ and added “We need the youths as assets and not as liabilities of the society”. The Chief Minister dedicated the Industrial Growth Centre and Export Promotion Industrial Park to the youth in particular and the people of Nagaland in particular.
Guest of Honour, Minister for Industries & Commerce and Sericulture & Border Affairs, Khekiho Zhimomi, said that a ‘box’ of employment opportunities have been opened today and challenged industrialists and entrepreneurs to exploit it. He also shared on the conception of the main idea behind the centers and urged the public and neighboring villages to protect and maintain peace in the industrial hub.
Talitemjen, Chief Secretary in his short speech urged the youths to take full advantage of the resources available and to upgrade their skills continuously with sustainability and quality control.
Chairman NIDC & NHL, Tiameren termed the mini industrial city as the first such project in Nagaland’s history.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by a host of dignitaries including Minister Tokheho, Works & Housing, P. Talitemjen Ao, IAS, Chief Secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, IAS, Principal Secretary (Industries & Commerce), MLA Tiameren Aier, Chairman, NIDC & NHL, Addl. Chief Secretary, Lalthara, Parliamentary Secretaries, Yitachu and R. Khing, DC Dimapur, SP Dimapur besides other senior government officials, NGOs, entrepreneurs, leaders of the area and distinguished guests. The programme was chaired by Chief Secretary Nagaland, P Talitemjen, IAS, the welcome address was delivered by APC Alemtemshi IAS while the vote of thanks was offered by L Daniel Longchar, MD, NIDC and invocation was said by Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, Principal, OTS. Six contractors of IGC and EPIP were also awarded certificates of appreciation by the Chief Guest.
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