Road width, zone norms ignored
Telangana State industrial policy breaks civic rules
HYDERABAD: The new industrial policy introduced by the Telangana government to attract investors does not conform with the regulations of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority, which is a government planning body.
As per GO 168, it is mandatory that permission for an industry be sanctioned only once a road of minimum 40 feet width is developed. However, the speedy permissions have sidelined these government orders.
Former commissioner, HMDA, was transferred when the industries had complained of delays in approval, in spite of the commissioner just following the rule book.
The Johnson & Johnson unit, which was given a green signal for a manufacturing unit at Kothur, Mahbubnagar, has an approach road of only 23-26 feet not meeting the minimum requirement. The company plans to invest Rs 400 crore in the plant to be located on a 47-acre site.
As per HMDA rules, the HMDA master plan has certain zones like residential, industrial and educational. Permission is only granted if the said industry falls under the earmarked zone.
The other important rule is that the existing approach road should be at least 40 feet wide. The site is first examined, including the road, and approval is given only after that. In case the approach road is in the process of development, the proposal is approved.
“In the case of Johnson and Johnson, the HMDA had approved the proposal following a letter from the company and the industrial department on conditional basis. HMDA had asked the unit to develop the road within three months.
HMDA has also asked them to acquire the allotted adjoining land and build an approach road within 60 days. But post examination, a maximum of 27 feet road could be developed, which is much less than the the required condition. However, the industry still got a nod and is being developed,” said an HMDA officer.
It is alleged that Proctor & Gamble, which is also setting up its unit, had laid an approach road through a water body. “If the government can amend the rules earlier passed, it will be easier for the HMDA to approve industries, without officers becoming scapegoats,” added the official. HMDA commissioner Pradeep Chandra was unavailable for comments.
Telangana plans exclusive discom for industrial sector:
Once the power generation capacity in the Telangana is enhanced, the state will have a separate discom for the industrial sector. If the power supply to the industrial sector is directed through a separate feeder, the sector will not feel the effect of supply to agriculture and domestic sectors.
This has been a long pending demand of various industry associations. The associations have been asking for a separate discom be set up for the industrial sector so that the supply can be maintained unrestricted, even by buying costly power and selling it to the industry at times of shortage.
( Source : dc )
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