Although a similar incentive package was introduced by the Madhav Kumar Nepal-led government through the 2010-11 budget, it could not translate into implementation due to lack of fund and coordination between authorities concerned. The last year’s budget had also pledged to set up sub-health posts and police posts manned by five police personnel each in manufacturing industries employing more than 500 workers, apart from building black-topped roads, expanding electric grids and waterline linking industrial areas.

However, the relief package this time has only provisioned setting up police posts each manned by five armed police personnel in such industries. “As the previous programme couldn’t come into implementation, the prime minister, in his relief package, has made another effort so as to give a sense of security to industries and industrial staff,” said Yam Kumari Khatiwada, spokesperson for MoI.

She added that MoI has already reached an agreement with MoHA and private sector organisations including Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) for effective implementation of the programme. 

“Although no extra fund has been allocated for the execution of the programme, the security personnel will be deployed from the already set up security mechanism making no additional recruitments,” said an MoHA official.

Khatiwada said the private sector bodies have agreed to provide the security personnel necessary logistics, including shelter. “The private bodies have committed that the industries where the security personnel are deployed will provide necessary logistics,” added Khatiwada. Ten industries which had approached MoI for the facility had returned empty handed last year. “These industries have been given top priority this time,” said Chhabindra Parajuli, joint secretary at MoI. “Besides, the ministry will do its bit to provide the facility to all eligible industries across the country, if they demand.”

Prajuli added that the Department of Industry (DoI) has forwarded a list of more than 50 industries employing over 500 individuals. “As the list includes all sorts of industries, we are short listing manufacturing industries. For this, we have already approached local chambers of commerce and industry in all 75 districts,” he said, adding that once shortlisted, MoHA will start proving them security personnel.

Manish Agrawal, managing director of Lumbini Sugar Company, said the government’s initiative to set up police posts in industries is a right move as a majority of industrialists are facing unnecessary troubles from political and non political groups. “I hope the deployment of security personnel on industrial premises will give a sense of security to the management,” said Agrawal, who is also the vice chairman of FNCCI’s Employer Council. “It will be even better if the security personnel help curb the trend of taking workers to different political programmes forcefully.”

Industrialists also believe that setting up of security posts on industrial premises will have a significant positive impact on industrial productivity. “Such a provision will help attract foreign investment in the country as foreign investors are presently hesitant to invest here due to lack of security,” added Agrawal. is all set to provide security personnel to manufacturing industries employing over 500 individuals. As mentioned in Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai’s relief package, the Ministry of Industry (MoI) has already initiated work in this regard in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).

Published on: 22 October 2011 | The Kathmandu Post