Spearheading Business opportunities in Tripura
Business Standard
December 15, 2006

Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group) is more than Rs. 1000 crores diversified conglomerate, which is committed towards high quality products & credited with several innovations over last seven decades. A value driven Corporate, DS Group has rapidly forayed into diversified sectors in last 5 years. Some of the popular brands owned by the Group today are – Catch Spring water, Catch flavored eater, Catch ready-to-eat snacks, Catch Spices, Pass Pass, Rajnigandha – a non tobacco Pan Masala, Baba, Tulsi and Rashmi. To encourage industrial activity and usher in economic development in North East India, DS Group was one of the first major industrial houses to set up a manufacturing unit in Tripura long back in 1999 and later at Guwahati. In the last seven years, the Company has emerged as one of the most significant contributors to the socio-economic development of the region. Today several of DS Group’s diversification initiatives into industries like packaging, rubber, steel as well as education are concentrated in the North East. DS Group’s heat resistant Latex Rubber Thread manufacturing unit in Agartala, with an installed capacity of 5000MT per annum was inaugurated on 14th August, 2006 by the Honorable Chief Minister. Shri Manik Sarkar. The opening of this plant gives an impetus to the socio-economic growth of the region. The unit is a model unit in the region and generates direct employment for over 200 people. 80% of the total manpower strength of this unit is locally sourced. Ancillary industries around the unit also generate a lot of secondary employment. The project has earned the status of a Mega Project from the state government with a project cost of Rs. 80 crores. It manufactures premium quality heat resistant latex rubber thread used in various inner wears. Proximity of the plant to Bangladesh, which is a major producer of hosiery, offers immense export potential. 40% of the installed capacity has already been booked for exports. The state of Tripura is the second largest natural rubber producer in India and the raw material for the rubber thread – latex, which is locally sourced consequently generates earning opportunities for thousands of families engaged in Rubber plantation & processing. The end product thus produced is in accordance with the highest standards and norms. This factory also provides a prospect to supplementary industries like Printing Packaging material, Corrugated Boxes and other services to develop in this industrial area. The company aspires to become the largest player in the country in this segment.

Work is also in progress at the Rs. 250 Crores Steel Sheet plant that is being set-up by the company in Agartala. The plant will produce Cold Rolled Sheets, CRCA Sheet & coils up to 1250 mm width and plain and corrugated Galvanised Sheets. The plant will have an installed capacity of 1,50,000 MT per annum of Cold rolled sheets and 50,000 MT per annum of Galvanised steel, Commercial production at the plant is expected to begin by July 2007.

DS Group has setup a state-of-the-art Rs. 60 crores Flexible Packaging Unit in Bonda. Assam with an installed capacity of 400 MT per month. The flexible packaging unit is expected to largely benefit the growing tea industry in the state of Assam. The high-tech flexi packaging unit offers good opportunity for developing consumer industries nearby. These major initiatives are expected to offer immense opportunity for the growth of several auxiliary industries like food-processing, trunk-making, furniture-making, goods transportation, warehousing etc, in the North East. Apart from generating large-scale direct employment, the secondary and tertiary economic activities associated with the three plants will generate immense allied employment resulting in an economic development of the region.

The group is also exploring many other investment opportunities in the area and major projects in the area of Power, Construction and education. The Company is on the right track for achieving its aim of building this region into leading industrial hub. These ventures are not stand-alone but part of long-term initiatives & goals of DS Group. DS Group, have chosen to mesh their social commitment into business vision. The company has been working in Assam and Triputa, on a wide range of CSR programmes from education to health and self reliance. They actively employ locals from the region across different levels and aim to generate employment through various operations. They believe that economic empowerment of individuals transforms them into powerful agents of social change.

If educations manifestation of an individual’s success in life, then proper infrastructure and environment is the backbone on which this is built upon. DS has been renovating local schools like Pallimangal H.S.School to facilitate education for the village children. The objective of DS Group is to inculcate the value of education leading to better life for children, From the foundation to a sound basis for a better tomorrow for individuals as well as society they live in, professional degrees are important too. Keeping this in mind DS Group is setting up a State Level Law College in Guwahati offering five year integrated course on lines of National Law College. DS group has also donated Rs. 10 crores to the state medical college at Tripura. This college would provide avenue for students of this region to pursue higher education.

The need for understanding and promoting local culture plays an important role in acceptance of a company by the people. Taking this forward DS Group has been promoting activities to enrich and highlight the salience of communities in North East. The company has contributed towards the development works of Maa Kamakhya Temple to promote it as a heritage site.

DS is also financing the construction of a Singpo Eco Lodge at Magherita, as an initiative to make the tribal community self reliant and financially independent. The Lodge would be independently managed and run by this tribal Community.

A lot of other CSR projects, specially keeping the ethnic groups and tribals in mind are on horizon in North Eastern states. The company believes in standing by the people of the community where they do business because like business, care & development too does not have any boundaries to work within. While DS group pursues leadership in its business spheres, it simultaneously endeavors to promote common welfare through multidimensional activities.