There is space for other business and not for mineral and chemical based industries at the Motanga Industrial Park, Samdrupjongkhar.

The economic affairs ministry had received 14 proposals to establish such industries and about 28 acres of the 155-acre industrial is taken. This was revealed on Friday when the economic affairs minister, Loknath Sharma was answering to queries on the industrial estate.

The issue was raised by Dramedtse Ngatshang Member of Parliament (MP), Ugyen Wangdi, who pointed that space would remain empty if not given to those who interested.  

Lyonpo Loknath Sharma said that the 155-area industrial area in Motanga was designed in clustered sections to keep business of similar category in a single cluster. He added that industries were categorised into groups such as food and beverages, forest and wood industries, and mineral and chemical among others. “The space filled is for the mineral and chemical based industries. We received about 14 proposals and 28-acre has been filled,” he said. However, he informed that there is space for the other business.

To obtain a plot at the estate, the ministry provides a provisional allotment after the submission of proposal. Following this, six months is provided to acquire clearances and other documents. “If all the documents are brought, another six months is provided to start the business. If they don’t do so, the space is given to someone else. So, there is opportunity for them to get that space,” said the minister.

Although the industrial area was also aimed to bring development in the east, with lack of opportunity (space) to those interested today, MP Ugyen Wangdi questioned the possibility of bringing development in the east. “The space which are empty today could be given to others,” he said.

Minister Loknath Sharma said that mixing businesses at the estate could pose risk. “If a food business is near the mineral and chemical industry, there are risks,” he said.

He added that the study was conducted by experts with further discussion with the people to estimate the space required. “We don’t think there is much we can do but we will try to see upon the issue.”

Phurpa Lhamo

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