Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC) has failed to allot plots to small and cottage industries in the small industrial estate, spread over an area of 100 acres allotted by the Sindh government near Northern Bye-Pass.
The allotment was due to be completed by end of October, but so far the process was pending, although the token amount demanded by the SSIC, had been deposited by small traders, sources in SSIC told Business Recorder on Friday.
Out of the total land, 30 acres has been reserved for women entrepreneurs and 10 acres for overseas Pakistanis. The project, inaugurated by the former Prime Minister, and was completed under the supervision Sindh Labour, Transport, Industries, Commerce and Co-operation Department.
One affected trader, who deposited the token money to the SSIC, said that delay in the allotment had created unrest among the allotees, demanding of the concerned officials to allot the plots as soon as possible to remove uncertainties.
The SSIC sources, however, were of the view that due to some technicalities, allotment was getting late, and claimed that the process of compilation of applications was being carried out transparently. "Computerised balloting will be made through National Data Registration Authority (Nadra) for plot allotments after the compilation," they added.
The applicants, including overseas Pakistanis, were asked to submit their applications for allotment of plots with a token amount of Rs 100,000 being 10 percent of the total cost of the plot, ie rupees one million in addition to Rs 2,000 as processing fee for a plot of 500 square yards.
For 250 square yards, token amount of Rs 50,000 was asked to be deposited being 10 percent of total cost of plot, ie Rs 500,000 in addition to Rs 1,000 as non-refundable processing fee. For setting up cottage industries, overseas Pakistanis had to deposit the entire amount in US dollars equivalent to Pak rupees in the SSIC office, they said.
The sources said that remaining 90 percent of the cost of plot would be payable during the period of four years in 16 quarterly instalments. They said that the possession of plots would be given to successful allotees on the completion of all infrastructure facilities and on receipt of entire cost of plots.
If the plot was not utilised within the stipulated period, the same would be cancelled to ensure setting up industries on the plots and to prevent land grabbing, they concluded. The sources said that the project aimed at further promoting the small and cottage industries in the province as they played an important role in development of the country.