BS reported that Orissa, going through the phase of rapid industrialization over the past couple of years, witnessed setting up of 4812 industrial units in the state during the last fiscal alone. This includes 6 large units and 4806 small scale sector industries.

Mr Raghunath Mohanty industries minister said these industries provide direct and indirect employment to 24,922 persons. Large units which were commissioned in 2008-09 included OCL Limited located at Mania, MSP Metalliks Limited, Action Ispat and Power Private Limited, Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Aryan Iron and Steel (P) Limited, Rathi Steel and Power Limited. The combined investment of these industries was INR 6250.85 crore creating 3926 jobs.

Similarly, 4806 small scale units were established during the last fiscal against the target of 5000. The investment made in these units was INR 227.93 crore compared to the target of INR 300 crore. Jobs created for 20,996 persons by the small scale units also fell short of the target of 30,000 set by the government for this sector.

Mr Mohanty said highest number of small scale units came up in Khurda district, which was followed by Cuttack district. While 1589 units were established in Sundergarh district, 1339 units came up in Bolangir district.

He said there is no special package for revival of the defaulting sick medium and small industries. The empowered committee constituted by RBI, State Level Inter Institutional Committee and Sub-SLIIC instruct various financial institutions for revival of the sick units.

(Sourced from Business Standard)