Small scale industries in Madurai cry for govt support.

MADURAI: Small scale industrialists in Madurai have been urging the government to support local industries for their development. As the small scale industry sector is unable to withstand the competition from China, industrial stake holders have been urging the government to control the imports.

Easing the procedures involved in starting up company, swiftly enabling the bank loan for entrepreneurs and developing infrastructure facilities are some of the demands put forth by the Madurai based industrialists.

"Our land should not be allowed to be used as dumping yard for other countries. Government should develop an exclusive agency to watch the imports carefully. Anti-dumping duty must be laid on foreign products, which are manufactured at low cost in foreign nations. The imported products should not be allowed to sell cheaper than the local products as it would affect the native producers," S Rethinavelu, senior president of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce.

Sharing his experience about his visit to China, S P Jayapragasam, the president of Tamil Nadu Food Grains Merchant Association (TFMA), said, "The manufacturing units there do not have the need to stock raw materials. All they do is order their raw materials on a daily basis as per requirement. This way, they can minus the expenditure involved in stocking, which is very high."

Talking about the difficulties involved in starting a new business in the state, S V S S Velshankar, the secretary of TFMA said, "Setting up a new business in Tamil Nadu is not easy. It involves tedious processes like purchasing a litigation free land, getting a building, pollution control board's approval, sewerage and water connection etc. It would at least take a year to obtain the approval. Getting a bank loan is even tougher."

"Initially, there used to be a single window clearance system, in which the collector would lead a meeting. It was helpful in getting the procedures done quickly. But, it is not carried out effectively any more," Jayapragasam said

Moreover, the infrastructure facilities in the industrial estates throughout the state are not in a good shape. "Good road, sewage water and incessant electricity connection are still a distant dream," said V S Manimaran, president of Maditssia.

Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com