Pollution-free and peaceful atmosphere, rich natural resources, un-interrupted power supply, sound infrastructure, attractive incentives and responsive administration are some of the major attractive inducements which make Himachal Pradesh, a favorite destination for the entrepreneurs. Industrialization also plays a vital role in the economic development of an agrarian economy like Himachal Pradesh. In addition, it increases income of the community and also provides ample employment opportunities to the youth.
To attract industrial investment, 'Industry by Invitation' has been the motto of the State Government and it is being proactively and assertively followed by organizing special investor's meets in different parts of the country. In addition, an 'Investment Promotion Cell' has been created in the Industries Department to drive new investments in the State.
The efforts of the State Government has borne fruit as 3659 industrial units have been established in the State with an investment of Rs 3581.48 crore during the last four years. The industries had provided employment to 48422 youth of the State. In addition, the State Level Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority approved 283 industrial enterprises involving investments worth Rs 13262.27 crore and employment potential of 26680 persons. Apart from it as many as 7054 employment opportunities had been created in the State by effective implementation of Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme. Loans worth Rs 23.93 crore were distributed to the youth to start their self-employment ventures.
Three State of the Art industrial areas are being developed in Una, Kangra and Solan districts. World class facilities would be provided in these industrial areas to the entrepreneurs for setting up their ventures. Land measuring 72-82-74 hectare has been transferred for developing industrial area at Kandrori in Kangra district by spending an amount of Rs 88.05 crore. Similarly, Rs. 95.77 crore would be spent on developing an industrial area at Pandoga in Una district.
A Technology Centre is coming up at Baddi with a cost of Rs 102 crore. Land measuring 100 bighas at Bhatoli-Kalan village has been provided for this. This would provide technological support and tooling facilities to micro, small and medium sector enterprises and also help in skill development and up-gradation of unemployed youth. With a view to boost export from the State, Inland Container Depot has been constructed at a cost of Rs 14.42 crore at Baddi. A Trade Centre has been established at Baddi with an investment of Rs 10.81 crore and a Ware House has been constructed at a cost of Rs 26.89 crore at Baddi. A Common Facility Centre has been established at Nalagarh with an investment of Rs 2.11 crore.
A Common Effluent Treatment Plant had been constructed at Baddi at a cost of Rs 53.80 crore for effective management of industrial waste. A Skill Development Centre has being constructed at a cost of Rs 8.10 crore in Baddi area of Solan district. Working Men's Hostel has been constructed at Baddi for the benefit of the workers at a cost of Rs 12 crore. Similarly, a Labour Hostel has been constructed at Bathu in Una district by spending an amount of Rs 4.46 crore.
The State Government has reduced Electricity Duty applicable to industrial enterprises in case of Extra High Tension from 17 per cent to 13 percent, for existing medium and large industries from 15-17 per cent to 11 per cent, for new medium and large industries to electricity duty has been fixed at 5 per cent for first five years, for existing small scale industries from 9 to 5 per cent, for new small scale industries it has been fixed at 1 per cent for first five years. Going a step forward, only 1 per cent electricity duty would be charged for first five years from enterprise generating employment to 300 bonafide Himachalis. In order to facilitate the entrepreneurs, the Government has decided to charge 50 per cent stamp duty on sale deed or lease deed for setting up a new industry.
The entrepreneurs in the State are being provided 'Chief Minister Start-up/New Industries Scheme which has not only attracted new investments to the State, but also motivated the entrepreneurs to expand their existing units. All the new enterprises in the State would now be required to submit only self-certified documents online or manually. Land would be provided at concessional rate in the Industrial Areas to the small industries or other industries providing employment to 100 Himachalis. The State Government has decided to establish Incubation Centers in premier Institutions in the State to support the Start Up. These Start Ups in the manufacturing sector would also be entitled for purchase preference by State Government of /Public Sector Undertakings.
Usually it has been observed that the New Start Ups in Micro Sector with investment upto Rs. 25 lakh provide maximum employment opportunities to the youth. Thus the State Government has decided that all such industries which employ at least 5 persons and take loan from banks would be provided interest subvention at the rate of 4 percent up to a loan of Rs. 10 lakh for three years. The State Government has also decided to that Stamp duty for registration of land for new industries would be charged at the rate of three percent only.
These efforts of the State Government are bound to make Himachal a most favored destination of the investors, which in return would provide more and more job opportunities to the youth of the State, besides generate economic activities in the State.
Issued by:
Director,
Information & Public Relations
Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-2
-0-