Assocham proposes to set up 14 industrial clusters in Bihar

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India (Assocham) has proposed to partner Bihar government to develop 14 industrial clusters for an estimated cost of Rs. 450 crore for employment and revenue generation.

Assocham General Secretary D.S. Rawat said on Sunday that the proposed clusters will provide jobs to 6 lakh people, directly and indirectly.

Mr. Rawat, who was talking to reporters here after releasing the Assocham’s study report on ‘Cluster Development for Inclusive Growth in Bihar’, said the 14 proposed industrial clusters have a capacity of about 25,000-28,000 units with each providing jobs to 8-10 people.

He said the State government will also benefit from the development of the proposed industrial clusters in terms of both revenue and employment generation.

The 14 proposed industrial clusters will be located at Patna, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Barauni, Muzaffarpur, Katihar, Madhepura, Bhagalpur, Munger, Nawada, Supaul, Gaya, Bhojpur and Hajipur (Vaishali), the Assocham office bearer said.

The study suggests the State government to constitute a statutory body ‘Cluster Development Authority’ to look after the industrial activities in Bihar to be set up under industrial clusters, he said.

In order to give impetus to industrial development of Bihar, the Assocham Bihar Chamber of Commerce (BCI) and Bihar Industries Association (BIA) have decided to hold three ’investmart’ in Patna in 2011, 2013 and 2015 to facilitate investment in the industrial sector.