Shimla: While uncertainty over extension of the industrial package for Himachal and Uttrakhand prevails, the union ministry of commerce and industry has recommended extension of the incentives on excise upto the original period of 2013.
Chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal who met union commerce minister Anand Sharma on Monday said that the ministry has recommended to the prime minister and finance minister extension of the industrial package to 2013.
Refuting the contention of neighboring states, Dhumal said that there was no flight of industries from neighbouring states to Himachal Pradesh due to industrial package.
“In fact reputed industrial houses from Karnataka, Gujrat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh were setting up additional new units in the state to reap the benefits of industrial package,†he said.
The union government had sanctioned the industrial package for states of Himachal, Uttranchal and Jammu and Kashmir to enhance investments and remove industrial backwardness in these states. The incentives had had an positive impact on the industrial development, which needed to be sustained, said Dhumal.
The chief minister added that there was no justification for curtailing the industrial package time limit for Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand while continuing it for Jammu and Kashmir as entire region faced similar economic, geographical and topographical conditions.The commerce ministry has approved setting up skill development centres at Solan and Una districts to impart training to the local youth.
The chief minister urged the commerce minister to facilitate in attracting investments in food and fruit processing and IT sectors. The state was ready to provide logistic and infrastructure support, he said.
Anand Sharma and team to asses states industrial development
Union minister Anand Sharma, heading a high level central delegation of bureaucrats accompanied by top executives from reputed industrial houses is scheduled to visit the Shimla on Tuesday (5th January) Â and hold a meeting with state authorities.
While the state government is expected to make presentations about scope of industrial investments in the predominantly hill state, the prospective investors are expected to look up for tie-ups with government and private entrepreneurs in various sectors.
Official from the ministry are to assess the impact of industrial development and study scope for further expansion.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
