sudarsan maharana
post news network
Bhubaneswar, August 18: The government will come up with a special ‘Salt Policy’ for the upliftment and promotion of the industry in the state.
According to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) department officials, under this policy the state government will make provisions for providing special incentive to investors in the salt industry along with other facilities.
At present 35 salt producing units are located in the state. The units are spread over 10,000 acres of land in Ganjam (Humma) and Surla-Sumandi belts of the state.
According to Orissa Salt Manufacturers Association, unauthorised fishing activities in the salt fields, especially in Surla-Samandi salt production belt is leading to a decline in the salinity and is hindering the production work.
The sea mouth in the Ganjam and Surla-Sumandi belts are also gradually getting blocked due to various reasons for which most of the salt works in these belts have been closed affecting production. Cyclone Phailin in October 2013 also affected salt production, according to the association.
The association says that excess ground rent and assignment fee fixed by the Centre for the salt industry are also causing problems.
However, MSME officials say that the new salt policy will have a comprehensive framework for the industry’s development in the state.
“To manage this issue, the state government has also decided to create salt clusters for the upliftment of salt industry,” a MSME official said. ”The Director of Industries has been asked to take required steps for identification and formation of salt clusters in the state which boasts a 480km long coastline.”
The official also said that the move will help in increasing salt production in the state thereby contributing more to the annual national production.
India produced 1.9 million tonne of salt in 1947 which increased to 22.18 million tonne during 2011-12. At present the country produces 26.9 million tonne per annum.
