NEED FOR REFORM OF THE DI CENTRE AND THE REALITY OF CORRUPTION

NEED FOR REFORM OF THE DI CENTRE AND THE REALITY OF CORRUPTION

22-AUG-ENG 10

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------The District Industries Centre (DIC) was established to decentralise industries in India and promote industrial activities at the local level. The scheme was conceived during the tenure of the then Union Minister of Industry, George Fernandes. The objective was to encourage the establishment of industries at the district level and provide employment opportunities to the youth.

But unfortunately, today the District Industries Centre has deviated from its original purpose. Instead of setting up and promoting industries at the local level, this centre has often become a centre of obstruction and harassment for the youth and entrepreneurs who aspire to become industrialists.

A web of corruption and disappointment of entrepreneurs: Durgesh Kumar says that the gravity of this situation is clear from my personal experience. When I tried for a PMEGP project in the year 2007 or 2009, a field inspector openly demanded a bribe. As a result, I gave up the idea of ​​setting up a unit at that time. Although my personal need to set up an industry was not very strong at that time, this experience made it clear that young entrepreneurs get disappointed and back out because of such corrupt systems.

This is the reason why even ambitious schemes like the Mukhyamantri Udyam Yojana are not able to succeed at the ground level. Young beneficiaries have to face unnecessary paperwork, corruption and financial exploitation.

Need for transparency in the project selection process: Today, the people who play a role in the project selection committee of the District Industries Centers often work not from a professional point of view, but with a mentality of personal interest and bribery.

In my opinion, professors from management colleges, professionals from the industry and honest experts should be included in these committees. This will not only make the selection process transparent, but will also ensure the contribution of people serious about the development of the state.

Political leadership versus administrative failure: It is also worth mentioning that in recent years in Bihar, Shahnawaz Hussain and Sandeep Paundrik made a lot of positive efforts in the Industry Department. They worked to give a new direction to industries in Bihar. At present, Nitish Mishra is also known as a hardworking and honest minister.

But the problem is that when the top level leadership is good, then corrupt officers and employees start considering it as a safe shield (Amrit) for themselves. That is, they assume that due to good leadership, no strict action will be taken against them.

Investigation and monitoring mechanism should be strengthened – There should be regular and independent monitoring of the activities of District Industry Centers. 2. Strict action on corruption – There should be quick suspension and legal action against bribe-taking officers and employees. 3. Participation of technical and professional experts – Professionals, professors and industry experts should be involved in the project selection and monitoring process. 4. Digital transparency – The entire process of schemes should be made online so that there is no scope for paperwork and personal interference. 5. Grievance redressal system for young entrepreneurs – There should be a mechanism to register complaints directly to the Industry Minister or at higher level and get its solution.

The objective of District Industries Centre (DIC) was to generate employment and promote industries at local level. But corruption, red tape and apathy of officials have made it a hindrance for entrepreneurs.

Today there is a need to change this system. If there is no change, the anger of the common man and the disappointment of the youth will cause serious damage to the industrial development of the state.

 Minister Shri Nitish Mishra and the state government are expected to think deeply on this and make such a concrete system which can solve the real problems of the youth setting up industries at the ground level.