Government committed to create better environment for industries: CM
While presiding over the Himachal Pradesh State Annual Session 2020-21 of CII Himachal Pradesh here today, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that Himachal Pradesh has made a big leap in Ease of Doing Business ranking of Government of India from 16th rank to 7th rank which would improve better in times to come and create better environment for industrial investment in the state.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the Covid pandemic adversely affected the world economy and India and Himachal were not an exception. He said that the industrialists of the State rose to the occasion and gave effective cooperation to the State Government as well as society. He said that the industry made a sizable contribution towards the PM CAREs and CM COVID Fund. He said that the industry also provided free ration, masks and hand sanitizers to the needy. He said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi effectively handled the situation not only by making timely decisions, but also encouraging the scientists for developing Made in India vaccine.
Chief Minister said the theme “Regaining the Growth Momentum” for this annual conference was indeed timely and appropriate and expressed hope that the outcome of this event would be in accordance with the theme of this conference.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has sent a Rs 1190 crore Bulk Drug Park Project proposal to the Central Government for approval on 1405 acres of land in district Una. He said this Park was expected to attract investment worth Rs 8000 crore and create a turnover of over Rs. 50,000 crore and create 15,000 employment opportunities for the youth of the State. He said that the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers would also provide a grant of Rs 1000 crore for this Park. He said that the State Government has also sent a proposal to the Central Government to set up a Medical Devices Park at Nalagarh in district Solan on 268 acres of land at a cost of Rs 261 crore. This would attract investment of about Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 crore and turnover of Rs. 20,000 crores and provide employment opportunities to 10,000 people. He said the State Government has proposed to set up a Pastic Park on 100 acres of land in Nalagarh in district Solan. A proposal for an Electronics Manufacturing Hub and Power Equipment Manufacturing Hub on about 400 acres of land in Nalagarh has also been sent to the Government of India, he added.
Chief Minister said that Mukhyamantri Swavalamban Yojana was being implemented in the State to make the youths job providers instead of job seekers. He said the State Government had organized Global Investor’s Meet in 2019 in which over 700 MoUs of about Rs. 96,000 crore were signed. He said in December 2019 first ground-breaking ceremony was performed in which MoU of about Rs.13,000 crore were signed. Second ground breaking for projects worth Rs 10,000 crore wer ready and would be completed in the next two-three months, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur said that Baddi Barotiwala Nalagarh Development Authority was formed in the year 2006 for proper development of this Industrial area. He said that an amount of Rs.255 crore has been spent in this area on various development works, but still more planned and quality development of industrial areas need to be done. He said the State Government was committed for proper development of industrial areas so that basic facilities can be provided to the industrialists as well as local populace. He said that in order to further accelerate the development of Baddi-Brotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area, a Comprehensive Basis Infrastructure Development Master Plan would be prepared to provide basic amenities in which roads, drains, lanes, streetlights, parks, water and other civic amenities. He said that in order to ensure smooth transportation in this area, the Ministry of Road Transport, Government of India has decided to carry out four laning work from Pinjore to Nalagarh.
Chief Minister said that recently, India Innovation Index 2020 released by NITI Aayog, which shows the innovative strengths of the states, in it Himachal Pradesh has bagged top rank amongst north eastern and hilly states.
Industries Minister Bikram Thakur said that the Corona pandemic adversely affected the pace of industrialization not only in India and Himachal, but world over. He said that under the able leadership of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, the State was fast emerging as an industrial hub of the country. He said that the topography of the State makes it difficult for creating infrastructure for the industries, but the entrepreneurs have effectively handled this situation. He said that efforts were on for the Second Ground breaking ceremony in the State. He assured the industrialists to extend of all possible help from the Government.
Chief Secretary Anil Khachi said that Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur effectively managed the Covid pandemic by personally interacting not only with the officers but also with the doctors, health workers, elected representatives and other stakeholders. It was due to the efforts of the Chief Minister that work on all the four laning road projects was expedited. He said that efforts were on to strengthen and expand connectivity in the State to facilitate the entrepreneurs.
Additional Chief Secretary Industries Ram Subhag Singh appreciated the entrepreneurs for the cooperation extended to the State Government during the covid pandemic. He said that the Union Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal during his meeting with the Chief Minister recently assured full support for the railway projects in the State during his visit to Shimla. He said that announcement has been made for survey of Jagadhri-Paonta Sahib railway line, besides announcement has been made regarding increase in budget for Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Bari and Chandigarh-Baddi railway lines for the year 2021-22. He said that budget allocation of Rs 220 core has been made for Chandigarh-Baddi railway line. On completion of these projects, the entrepreneurs would get much needed relief to transport their produce to different parts of the country, he added.
Chairman CII Northern Region Nikhil Sawhney also addressed the event virtually.
Chairman CII Himachal Pradesh Lt. Col. Shailesh Pathak while welcoming the Chief Minister said the State Government has made a remarkable progress in industrial sector during the last three years despite the adverse impact of Covid-19 pandemic. He also felt the need for setting up a land bank for small and micro scale industries, besides facility of natural gas pipeline for industrial area.
Vice Chairman CII Himachal Pradesh Shailesh Aggarwal presented vote of thanks.
Shailesh Aggarwal and Subodh Gupta have been elected as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of CII Himachal Pradesh State Council respectively, for the year 2021-22.
Shailesh Aggarwal is the Managing Director of JB Conductors and Cables situated at Nalagarh. He has been associated with CII for many years and has served on the CII HP Panel on Power.
Chairman RERA Dr Srikant Baldi, Director Industries Hansraj Sharma and Members of CII were also present on the occasion among others.
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