THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A two-member family is now allowed to start private industry on ten acres of land or more.

Till now, only small entrepreneurial groups, cooperatives, joint venturers and companies could apply for the initiative. The cabinet decided yesterday to amend the Private Industrial Estate Scheme 2022 to include two-member families as well.

Under the Land Limitation Act, unmarried people can own up to seven and a half acres of land. There is a legal restriction to possess 10 acres for industrial purposes. When the revenue department was adamant that this cannot be changed, it was agreed that the amendment would be allowed for a two-member family. Under this scheme, the venture will be financed from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 3 crore per acre of land. Financial assistance will be calculated to provide electricity, water, transport, drainage, other facilities and waste management. The current provision is that the applications submitted through the Director of Industries are examined by a high-level committee consisting of departmental secretaries and the private industrial estate developer permit is issued later. Collector, revenue and town planning officials were also included in this committee. A Single Window Clearance Board will be set up to expedite all other clearances for the venture. They will get all the benefits as per Industrial Township Development Rules.

Under the scheme, standard design factories can be set up on industrial land of up to five acres. Cottage industries can be run in three or four storied buildings. At present, there was no funding for standard design factories. The amendment made them eligible for financial assistance also .

No time limit for the permit

Under the current scheme, the 30-year tenure for private industrial estate developer permits has been waived. Those holding land on lease tenure of 30 years or more can also apply for a developer permit.

The government stated that the amendment aims to create more industrial establishments and employment opportunities in the state.