Potential entrepreneurial ventures and opportunities for youth upon revival of NPPC Ltd. in Nagaland.

By Ricky Ozukum

As you may recall in my earlier issue, I had highlighted the number of medium industries in Nagaland. Let me refresh you a bit. Pl. write a brief line in the existing sick unit in Nagaland (Govt. undertakings)…. after that write a brief line on the no. employment it had generated… and how after becoming a sick unit the employment level/ its economic impact on the surrounding areas and Nagas a a whole.
In this issue, I would like to draw your attention on the various potential entrepreneurial ventures and its economic impact if even one sick unit is revived. Let me take an example of Nagaland Pulp and Paper Corporation Ltd. (NPCC).
Nagaland Pulp and Paper Corporation Ltd. (NPCC) was a joint venture between the Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd. and the State Government. NPCC went into commercial production from July 1, 1982 but could not be able to utilize the full capacity for various teething problems like drawing of raw materials, erratic power supply etc. It has remained unoperational since October 1992. However after two decades of waiting Nagaland Pulp and Paper Corporation Ltd. (NPCC), popularly known as Tuli Paper Mill, is all set to revive its paper mill. An amount of 552 Cr was announced initially in the year 2007. And On January 4, 2013 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) GoI has approved Rs. 679 cr(489 cr) for revival of the NPPC Ltd and released Rs. 100 cr as first installment. Subsequently Rs. 40 cr has been credited into the NPPC Ltd account to initiate the restoration and is expected to be commissioned by November 2017 after being extended by another one more year that too if the Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) cooperatively sanctions the funds on time. Just recently centre has assured to sanction another 30 cr.
Upon revival of Tuli Paper mill, it will not only bring huge employment generation for the local people but also bring in many entrepreneurial opportunities, which will have big impact on the economy of people as well as the industrial scenario of the state. With the availability of more skilled and trained labours now, I am hopeful Tuli Paper Mill will not meet the same fate.
These are the few business opportunities you can consider of venturing into even if one of the sick industrial unit, among many, is revived be it subsidiary or ancillary entrepreneurial units related to paper mill industry:
Envelope Making: The main raw material for envelope making is paper. Demands for envelope even in this internet era is still significant. The enterprise demands little knowledge about school and office stationery supply. It is still an important office and school stationery item. Different kind of machines is available and you can produce desired quantity paper envelope automatically. Envelope making is one of the most profitable home based manufacturing enterprise one can start as part time also where investment is not high. From the same unit one can also produce synthetic paper envelopes which have a huge potential market.
Exercise Book Manufacturing: Major raw material is 40-50 gsm white sheets. Manufacturing of various types of notebooks and exercise book involves simple machinery. It is one of a profitable business were demands are always high especially among students. Different types of registers are also required in every office, institutions etc.
Packaging/Carton Box Manufacturing: Packaging box manufacturing unit can be initiated on a small scale basis. Packaging boxes are an essential item in the packaging industry. Any product requires a packaging before going to the market. The demand is huge and it is increasing with the growing number of on-line shopping demands. Manufacturing process is also simple and can be started with small capital investment. There is not a single Packaging box manufacturing unit in Nagaland.
Paper Bags Making: The plastic carry bags are banned in many cities and towns because of its biologically non-degradable nature. Due to the increasing awareness of the hazards of plastic bags to the environment among the public and the ban imposed on plastic bags by various Stae Govts. throughout India, paper bags making in different shapes and sizes is a profitable alternative investment opportunity for the entrepreneurs. Demands for Paper bags are highly sought by bakers and confectioners, grocers, textile and cloth merchants, dry cleaners, sweet-meat dealers etc.
Paper Cup Making: Paper cup is a disposable item made out of paper and often lined with plastic to prevent liquid leakage or soaking through the paper. Paper cup making business is one of the most lucrative small scale manufacturing opportunities in India. It is considered as a profitable manufacturing opportunity for the entrepreneurs. Paper cups are widely used for hot drinks like tea, coffee and any types of cold drinks or energy drinks, serving ice cream, sweet corn, sweet delicacies, and packaged food items. PE coated paper roll is generally used for paper cup making. There two ways of manufacturing is through semi-automatic process and another one is the fully-automatic process.
Tissue Paper Making: Tissue paper making is one of the technically feasible and financially viable projects which have huge returns with less investment. Small scale manufacturing and large scale manufacturing both are possible in tissue paper making business. Tissues are sought by hotels, home users, Cafes’, Restaurant etc. The growth rate of the market is close to 12.5 percent year-on-year.
You can start the above businesses as proprietorship or Partnership Enterprise with respective Dictrict Industry Centres (DICs) . You can register your business as One Person Company (OPC) with Register Of Companies. If you are starting your business as partnership, you can go for LLP, Pvt Ltd. or Ltd Co. registration. You may also have to acquire Trade License from local Municipal Authority. Apply for Vat Registration. For some you may need to get permission/NOC from Pollution Control Board. Always protect your brand by having Trademarked Registration. For MSME registration obtaining UDYOG AADHAAR is the easiest way directly you can apply online. All you need to do is go online and visit: http://udyogaadhaar.gov.in/UA/UdyogAadhar-New.aspx and fill the required information and they will issue a UDYOG AADHAAR which you can print out immediately. Udyog Aadhaar will be your MSME Registration and will also work as a market linkage by listing your products and services to a common portal for all the buyers. This will also help you in accessing different schemes from Government.
There are several new financial schemes like Start up India, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana(Mudra), Stand up India, PMEGP etc which the entrepreneurs can avail without any collateral.