Govt allows industry in agri zones with riders

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 17

In a major ‘pro-industry’ decision, the Haryana Government has allowed the setting up of the industrial units in all agriculture zones across the state.

The policy dated January 10 and announced by the Principal Secretary, Town and Country Planning Department, however, imposed certain conditions for the setting up of the industry in the agriculture zones. These included that the site should be accessible from the existing 18 metres wide road. Besides, a 12-metre wide road to facilitate the smooth movement of traffic will have to be provided in the industrial colony.

“Only green category industry shall be allowed in the area of the licenced industrial colony which is falling within 2 km from the boundary of urbanisable zone of the development zone if proposed along the urbanisable boundary. All categories of industries will be allowed in the industrial colony outside 2 km belt, subject to the condition of obtaining certificate from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board. And there should be zero discharge of the industrial effluents in the industrial colony,” the policy said.

To maintain ecological balance in the agriculture zone, a 20-metre wide green belt has to be provided around the colony.

The new policy is an offshoot of a case for the grant of licence for the setting up of an industrial colony in the agriculture zone in Panipat by Aalishan Eco Textile Private Limited. The site fulfilled minimum area norms of 50 acres with the Union Ministry of Textiles approving the park in Panipat.

According to the Enterprises Promotion Policy, 2015, the setting up of industrial colony in agriculture zone falling in “A” Category block in the high-potential zone was not permissible.

On the recommendations of the Empowered Executive Committee of the Industries Department, the Haryana Enterprises Promotion Board urged the Department of Town and Country Planning to take a final decision on the issue. Subsequently, the department took the decision of allowing industries on the agriculture zones irrespective of the industrial blocks notified by the Industries Department.