GORKHA, March 26: The number of small and cottage industries is increasing in Gorkha district in recent years.
Related story
Registration of cottage industries increase in Gorkha
Officials attribute the rise in the number of cottage and small industries to various incentives announced by the government.
According to Cottage and Small Industries Development Board (CSIDB) Gorkha Office, the number of cottage and small industries has doubled this year compared to the last year. Altogether 157 new industries were registered in the district in the 12-month period ending mid-December compared to 69 in the corresponding period of 2013.
"The number of small and cottage industries in the district has doubled. Many new industries are in the process of registration," Gokarna Raj Joshi, senior industrial officer, told Republica.
With the rise in number of industries, revenue collection of the office has increased to Rs 1.4 million from Rs 680,200 recorded in the same period of last year.
At present, there are 1,269 small and cottage industries in the district. Of them, 360 are rice mills, 256 hotels, 166 construction industries, and 105 agro and forest-based industries. Similarly, there are 54 metal works industries, 51 computer related firms, 53 tailoring firms, and 19 beauty parlors.
The number of agro-based industries and poultry farms is increasing in recent years mainly due to incentives offered by the government to these industries. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to register their businesses also because they do not get subsidy, training and other benefits from the government.
“Entrepreneurs, who have not renewed their business firms, are rushing to the CSIDB office to renew their license. Earlier, they didn't renew license to evade taxes. Now, they are renewing their licenses by paying hefty fine," added Joshi.
