Chhattisgarh opens doors for private sector with tax sops

Raipur: The Congress government in Chhattisgarh opened its doors for the private sector to set up industries in the state with a slew of tax incentives in backward blocks, transport and power subsidies and 100% exemption from state GST for specific industries in Maoist-infested areas.

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel unveiled the new industrial policy 2019-24 at a three-day cultural festival in Raipur to commemorate the 20th Foundation Day of Chhattisgarh.

Toeing a line similar to his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Kamal Nath, who had indicated that his government could bring a legislation to guarantee 70% jobs to local youth in private sector, Baghel has made it mandatory for all industries to hire only Chhattisgarh’s own unskilled worker. At the same time, it would be mandatory to give 70% of skilled and 40% in administrative and management positions to local population.

With this, the state government has hoped to generate more employment for the youth, who usually move out to Gujarat and Maharashtra as agricultural labourers or brick kiln workers. “The previous government under Raman Singh had concentrated on core sectors like steel, bauxite and power. But we have realised that though Chhattisgarh has resources and land, it doesn’t have industries. Even the industrial growth is concentrated in Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur and surrounding areas. But we need to encourage industries in backward blocks and Naxal-infested areas of Bastar, Kanker and Sarguja,” said Baghel.

The new industrial policy has divided blocks into four categories – A, B, C and D with D being the most backward blocks. The policy has promised 100% state GST exemption for industrial units set up in D category blocks. A transport grant would be given to exporting units in Chhattisgarh to make them more competitive as there is no port facility.