CM invites to invest in IT sector, Says Himachal suitable for investment
Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu invited investors to invest in Himachal Pradesh, describing the state as one of the most suitable destinations for investment. Addressing the Chandigarh Leadership Conclave and the 23rd Annual General Meeting organised by TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs Chandigarh) on Saturday late evening, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to provide every possible facility and support to investors.
Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh ensures round-the-clock power supply and was introducing a new industrial policy with reduced electricity tariffs to attract greater investment. He said that the state was poised to emerge as a national leader in green hydrogen production in the coming years. As part of its clean energy initiatives, BioChar plants were being established across the state, while a geothermal energy project has already been set up in Kinnaur district. Highlighting Himachal Pradesh’s status as a power-surplus state, he said the government was signing a three-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Punjab for the supply of electricity. Describing to Punjab as Himachal Pradesh’s ‘elder brother,’ the Chief Minister said the state would continue to strengthen this longstanding partnership by supplying power to Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh offers a conducive environment for the IT sector. The state government was also working towards establishing data storage infrastructure in the state. In addition, an IT park was being developed in Kandaghat of Solan district. He said that before the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the industrial areas of Himachal Pradesh contributed approximately Rs. 4,000 crore in revenue to the state exchequer. However, after the implementation of GST, this revenue has declined to around Rs. 150 to 200 crore. He said that the state government was modifying its policies keeping in view the geographical conditions of Himachal Pradesh.
Sukhu said that the impact of disasters was being witnessed not only in Himachal Pradesh but also in other states. The effects of global warming have led to frequent incidents of cloudbursts. He said that Himachal Pradesh remains completely safe for tourists even during the monsoon season, although it is essential to stay away from rivers and seasonal streams. He said that nearly 7.5 million people continue to live in Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season and therefore, tourists should visit the state without fear.
The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was making efforts to secure its 7.19 percent share in Chandigarh and that continuous dialogue was being held in this regard. He also stated that a railway line from Chandigarh to Baddi was being developed, with the state government bearing 50 percent of the expenditure on land acquisition and construction. The railway network was expected to be completed within three years and would benefit industrialists in Baddi and Nalagarh, he added.
He said that the state government was expanding Kangra Airport to promote tourism and investment which will benefit both tourists and the industrial sector. He said that the state government was also constructing heliports to improve air connectivity in the state and helicopter services to all district headquarters would be introduced in the coming times.
Sukhu said that the Congress Government was moving forward with the objective of making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant. Several steps were also being taken to strengthen the rural economy. He said that industrialists could benefit from these initiatives, which would also contribute to the welfare and economic development of the people of the state.
He said that the state government had accorded priority to health, education, the rural economy, tourism and the IT sector. Health services in medical colleges were being strengthened and efforts were underway to bring transformative changes in the health sector. He said that the state government would soon move forward in the direction of promoting health tourism as well.
Chairman Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation RS Bali, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Sunder Singh Thakur, Vice Chairman Himachal Road Transport Corporation Ajay Verma, Former MLA Satpal Raizada, Congress leader Pawan Thakur, Director, Digital Technologies and Governance, Dr. Nipun Jindal, President of TiE Chandigarh Puneet Verma, office-bearers of TiE and representatives of the industry attended the event.
