The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Reliance to expand retail business

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Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Reliance to expand retail business

Staff Reporter

To open procurement centres, warehouses and outlets in State

Plans to procure 5,000 tonnes of vegetables
Potential to generate 26,000 persons

BHUBANESWAR: A senior management team from Reliance Industries Limited told Orissa Government that the company was interested to expand its retail business by opening procurement centres, warehouses and retail outlets all over the State.

Making a presentation before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat on Tuesday, Bijay Sahoo, president and chief people’s officer of Reliance, said the company was targeting procurement of 90 tonnes of vegetables from different parts of the State, which could be enhanced to 5,000 tonnes within next six months. The company would raise volume of procurement further in due course of time.

State Development Commissioner R. N Bohidar said the company had already started two to three procurement centres and was eyeing for 50 procurement centres all over the State. During presentation, ‘Educate, employ and Empower’, the company representatives said their plan was to penetrate into tehsil level, Mr. Bohidar said. The Development Commissioner said it was estimated by the company that the retail venture in the State had the potential to generate employment for 26,000 persons. The company sought land support for its venture.

On education front, the company officials though did not come out with any concrete plans, they said the State had people who were willing to work and a pool of talented manpower to support industries and development.

Mr. Bohidar said it was suggested that the higher education should be made career-oriented, which could guarantee jobs to students. The company saw huge potential in retail, manufacturing and tourism sector. Later commenting on the Reliance presentation, Chief Minister said the company had proposed to procure turmeric and ginger from interior pockets of the state, which seemed to be a good proposal. "The State Government will evaluate the proposals and will proceed taking into best interest of the state," he said.

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