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The Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) has been at the forefront of industrial land allotment, creating investor ready infrastructure, investment promotions and developing major infrastructure facilities across various sectors in Odisha, says Sanjay Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, IDCO, Odisha, in conversation with Biswajit Sahoo of Elets News Network (ENN) while sharing various achievements and strategies.

“IDCO is committed to create world-class sports infrastructures across the State and the capital city of Bhubaneswar has become the focal point for hosting international sports events.

What is the significance of Khel Protsahan Puraskar from President of India for IDCO which has been promoting sports and sports related infrastructure in a very strategic manner for last few years?

IDCO dedicates this award to the people of Odisha. We are committed in our endeavour to promote sports and grooming sports talents through robust sports infrastructure in the State. We are sure, IDCO’s commitment through Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company – OSDPC will bring more success in the Sports arena especially hockey in the State. Kalinga Lancers (KL) is an extremely successful team in Hockey India League and has become Champion in HIL-2017. It has been successful in promoting the game and talent as well. IDCO is committed to create world class sports infrastructures across the State and the capital city of Bhubaneswar has become the focal point for hosting international sports events.

Odisha has been recognised as a leader in Ease of Doing Business Reforms by DIPP, what is the exact mandate and how IDCO has been achieving it?

IDCO has been established in 1981, under OIIDC Act, 1980 with the mandate to develop, manage and maintain industrial estates and areas. As on date, IDCO has set up 106 Industrial Estates across the State and is in the process of developing new Industrial Estates across various locations of Odisha. Moreover, IDCO is developing various sector specific industrial parks and industrial regions. To meet the growing demands for industrial set up, in a unique move IDCO is creating a Land Bank of one lakh acres. Further, the infrastructure development of the existing Industrial Estates are undertaken by IDCO regularly and completed in a time bound manner.

IDCO is the industrial interface of Odisha. The land bank concept and single window facilitation has been pioneered by IDCO. Please throw some light how IDCO is revamping the land allocation process to big, small and medium enterprises?

The Corporation is designated as the nodal agency for the provisions of land infrastructure with the mandate for identification, procurement and allotment of land for industrial and allied purposes, including creation of associate, social infrastructure. The OIIDC Act & Rule & the OIIFA Act & Rule along with the recommendations of exact extent of land by the IPICOL or District Level Single Window Clearance Authority concern empower IDCO to take up the procurement of land for the industry through the process of acquisition of private land and lease of Government land. Subsequently IDCO allots the land to the project authorities for establishment of industries. Till date 64,021 acres of land inclusive of government and acquired private lands have been allotted to the mega projects.

“The land acquisition and land allotment processes have been dealt with very sincerely in a time- bound manner addressing the social, industrial and economical factors.”

The traditional land acquisition processes have been observed to be leading to endless litigations which hinder timely availability of land to industries. The Government of Odisha decided to establish “Land Bank” of appropriate extent one lakh acre in industrially potential districts or areas in view of future requirements of land for various industries. IDCO has been empowered by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department in Government since November, 2015 for creation of such land bank of government land.

The land acquisition and land allotment processes have been dealt very sincerely in a time-bound manner addressing the social, industrial and economical factors. The State Government has identified six focus sectors as priority sector for investment and we follow the same principle for land allocation and other ancillary support to these focus sectors.

Odisha has announced to transform its industrial scenario through special investment zones on focus sectors. What are the priorities for IDCO? What according to you will augment rapid industrial progress?

IDCO has undertaken setting up of National Investment Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) at Kalinga Nagar area of Jajpur district for the manufacturing sector. A Petroleum, Chemical & Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) is being set up at Paradeep in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara region. Another port based industrial region is planned at Dhamra. Further, Information Technology and Investment Region (ITIR) is being developed at Bhubaneswar.

You have the privilege of working in diverse profiles and different states apart from your cadre state — Odisha. How do you view these distinct professional experiences?

Working in diverse profiles and different eco-system is very enriching experience. It shapes one to perform in any kind of situation. The basic principles of administration although remains same. There may be some changes in priorities.

Though Odisha is competing with its neighbouring States in all spheres of economic development, does it have the potential to leapfrog in the race as a major investment destination?

Odisha being a mineral-rich State, the ready availability of raw materials gives it an edge over other States. Moreover, the State has formulated attractive IPR- 2015, along with various sector-specific investor-friendly policies with a time- bound single window mechanism for approval of investment proposals. Over and above this, the professional and coordinated effort of all departments and strong political and administrative will has enabled Odisha to march ahead of other neighbouring States.

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