"Hitherto the activities of Itcot were confined to Tamil Nadu, but now they are extended to other states. To suit the changing industrial and economic scenario in the country, Itcot has made a strategic shift to high-value assignments from emerging sectors like IT, infrastructure, energy and environment, rehabilitation and non-performing assets (NPA) management," he said.

However, the core consultancy assignments were still being undertaken, he added.

The TEF report for the chemical park is being prepared in association with a Mumbai-based construction group which would build the park in an area of 11,000 acres, Krishnan said. However, most of the consultancy part of the Rs 97-lakh work is being done by Itcot. Providing inputs for costing of services and privatisation of the park infrastructure would be part of the feasibility report. Itcot had alredy completed major assignments in infrastructure areas like satellite townships, industrial parks, roads, water supply schemes and port projects.

The Tamil Nadu government has asked Itcot to formulate rehabilitation schemes for BIFR-registered firms for obtaining concessions. Banks and financial institutions approach the organisation for preparing viability report for sick units before considering enhancement in limits or offering term-loan assistance or concessions. Now Itcot is preparing rehabilitation package for two government-owned sugar mills in Tamil Nadu for two leading banks.

The debt recovery tribunal (DRT) also has appointed Itcot as receiver to conduct inventory, valuation and sale of assets. Krishnan said it is quite paradoxical for an organisation floated primarily to promote entrepreneurship and industrial units to perform the last rites of dying companies.

Itcot has a well-equipped energy division to undertake consultancy services in the areas of renewable energy, environment, energy audit and solid waste management.

It has entered into a formal association with the ministry of non-conventional energy sources (MNES) through programme partnership initiative for the promotion of biomass co-generation power with special emphasis on sugar plant co-generation.

The organisation has signend a memorandum of understanding with Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) to promote renewable energy in southern region. It is the first buiness development associate of IREDA. Itcot is organising a business meet on `Energy efficiency and role of energy servicing companies (ESCO) here on July 1 to help industries and other end-users to make effective use of energy efficient technologies and also finance them.

The organisation is still keeping its primary identity of a consultant. Itcot offers its services for the preparation of project reports, feasibility studies, market surveys, industrial potential surveys and opinion reports. It also offers `escort services' for new entrepreneurs or companies going for expansion or modernisation.