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ECONOMIC TRENDS
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INDUSTRIES
The industrial boom prevailing during the First World War, the Second World War and the post-war period gave an impetus to the growth of a number of industries such as cotton textiles, fabrication, auto workshops, furniture, cotton ginning and pressing, oil-pressing, dal mills, saw mills, fruit preservation, plastic products, storage batteries, bone-meal, soap, hakelite accessories and agricultural implements. This progress was however accidental and not inherent and the district could not he said to be industrially advanced.
Incidental to the planning programmes, the Government has been encouraging the development of small-scale industries in the district. In formulating the Second as well as the Third Five-Year Plans, the State Government has shown its determination to encourage entrepreneurs to build industries by extending to them all necessary facilities. A Master Plan for Industrialisation was prepared in 1960. The Small Industries Service Institute, Bombay, provides technical assistance to small-scale factories on such matters as the preparation of industrial schemes, factory plans, testing of raw materials, demonstration of modern machines, training and dissemination of economic information and industrial intelligence.
Industrial capital, which was not easily available in the past, is not a dormant problem now. Capital as a factor of production comes in this area from persons engaged in mining, trade and commerce. A fairly big class of cotton cultivators have been showing initiative in mobilising their savings. The mobilisation of savings is further facilitated through the 17 banking offices in the district. The Industries Department of the State provides loans for small-scale and cottage industries for the purchase of machinery, tools and raw materials. Bona-fide craftsmen are also provided loan assistance. Agencies like the State Bank of India, the State Financial Corporation and the National Small Industries Corporation gave financial assistance on liberal terms for the purposes of factory sites, worksheds, machinery and working capital.
Another remarkable achievement in the industrial field is the establishment of an industrial estate at Amravati. The estate which is sponsored by the Government has enabled small industrial units to have the benefits of common services, and facilities such as location, power, transport and water supply.
The Directorate of Industries has been assisting small units for the import of controlled raw materials by issuing " essentiality " certificates. Regular quotas of iron, steel and cement are issued by the Directorate.
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