Jharkhand to set up IT-SEZ, IT hub

JAIPUR, INDIA: Jharkhand, which has huge mineral resources and hosts some of India's big companies like Tata Motors, is poised for higher level of industrial growth on the back of liberal government policies and increased investment in soft infrastructure, chief minister Arjun Munda said on Monday.

“The state is determined to reach another higher level of industrial growth and invest more in training and skill development to achieve high employment generation for the educated youths,” Munda said here at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the annual diaspora meet.

He said Jharkhand has already achieved high growth in mineral based industries like steel, alumina and power production.

Munda said his government was taking steps to convert the abundantly produced metals like steel and alumina into high value intermediary or end products through downstream processing in a bid to boost manufacturing activities in the state.

Some of the big private and public sector steel companies like Tata Steel and Bokaro Steel are based in Jharkhand. Tata Motors, which is the largest producer of commercial vehicles, is also based in Jharkhand.

Munda said the state is also giving priority to development of information technology and information technology enabled services.

“We are in the process of setting up IT-Special Economic Zone at Jamshedpur besides IT hub around capital city of Ranchi,” the chief minister said.

He said the government has proposed major incentives for development of these industries in the state.

Munda invited overseas investments in manufacturing and other areas which are important in growth and development of the state.

“We generate huge quantity of fly ash in power plants, slags in steel plant and iron ore fines in mining area. We request quality green technology intervention to convert these wastes into useful commercial products,” he said, adding these industrial wastes could be used in production of cement, bricks and soil conditioner.

Munda said his government was investing heavily in social sector to improve quality of life and higher education.

“We have already identified 800 acre of land for knowledge city which will host all such institutions including Biotechnology and pharmaceutical park,” he said.