A visit was arranged for the printers of Patiala on 6 May 2023 to Karnal Print & Pack Cluster, which specializes in paper and paper products. Amit Arora, MD, greeted the visiting delegation and Kamal Mohan Chopra, president, World Print and Communication Forum (WPCF).
Giving details of the project, Arora said Karnal Print & Pack Cluster, developed under the Cluster Development Program of the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, came into being in 2011. Arora said there are seven directors who are taking care of all the facilities. The common facility center (CFC), which the printers visited, was established in 2015 in Sector-37, Industrial Estate, Karnal.
“Presently we have full-fledged facilities such as five automatic plyboard lines, CtP, flexo-based label press, and complete book printing and binding units to cater to the needs of more than 350 printers from Karnal and neighboring areas. The service of the CFC is provided at the most economical rates so that even the smallest printer can benefit from it. The main purpose of the CFC is to prompt young generations and enthusiasts engaged in the printing and packaging industry to brainstorm for a working platform common to all.”
Speaking to the delegation from Patiala during a one-on-one meeting after visiting the CFC, Kamal Mohan Chopra highlighted the latest guidelines for the Cluster Development Program. As per the latest guidelines issued by the ministry, the government grant will be restricted to 70% of the cost for projects worth Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore and 60% for a project from Rs 10 crore to Rs 30 crore. The state government will contribute 20% and the remaining 10-20% is to be contributed by the SPV.
“It is the time for networking, because due to the internet and digitization, the demand for commercial printing is decreasing, and we must work in close cooperation to remain competitive, to avoid the ever-increasing competition,” he said.
