Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated a major crackdown on non-operational industrial units for alleged misuse of allotted land. Industries Minister Sampad Swain informed the Assembly on Friday that action has been taken against several defaulting units. The move targets industries that failed to establish operations despite being allotted land for industrial purposes.
According to the Minister’s written reply, land allotments of seven industrial units have been cancelled, while five cases are currently under judicial consideration.
In a broader review, the government identified 914 closed industrial units. Of these, 665 units have been issued show-cause notices in accordance with Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO) norms. Among those served notices, land allotments of 267 units have already been cancelled.
Additionally, Encroachment and Unauthorised Occupation (EUO) cases have been registered against 81 units whose allotments were revoked.
The government noted that several units had obtained land for industrial development but allegedly diverted it for other purposes, affecting industrial growth in the state.
Officials also highlighted that over 914 units had acquired land through IDCO but failed to utilise it for the intended purpose, leading to stagnation in industrial activity.
The Minister further informed that 640 units, which had been allotted land through IDCO, transferred their leases to other industrial entities.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against defaulting units. However, it remains unclear whether the government has fully repossessed the land or taken steps to halt operations of the concerned entities. No response was received from the industrial units facing action at the time of filing this report.