Construction of a plastic park that will help small units and for which around 1,000 acres of land is already available is being considered at Sankrail in East Midnapore.

Manab Mukherjee, state minister for micro and small enterprises and textile (erstwhile department of cottage and small-scale industries), said that the state government has mooted the idea to have the park and consent of the department concerned at the Centre is awaited.

"The park will help small units. Around 1,000 acres of land is available, but prior to project approval, it can't be said how much land will be needed exactly," said Mukherjee.

Meanwhile, the state government has also been permitted the setting up of 41 "clusters" involving small-scale industries, handloom and textiles, handicrafts and leather units. The target will, however, be to start work on around 50 clusters this financial year itself.

With the Union, state and industries participating, the work on developing infrastructure will be initiated, said Mukherjee. Cashew processing, rice milling, silver ornaments, zari embroidery, surgical materials and battery are some of the categories for which clusters will be set up.