Himachal to formulate industrial policy

State Government would be considering formulation of a long term sustainable Industrial Policy to give boost to the industrial friendly environment in the state in different sectors. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, while discussing industrial promotion prospects in the state with the National BJP Industrial Cell visiting the State here today.
Chief Minister said that the state had witnessed vast industrial expansion after the announcement of the Special Industrial Package by former Prime Minister Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee for the state. He said that a large number of multinational industrial houses came forward with their industrial investment proposals which were permitted by the state government after ensuring that such investments were employment generating, environment friendly and in the best interest of the state and its people. He said that the good governance, law and order conditions had helped in attracting large number of entrepreneurs to invest in the state. He said that the state had created quality industrial investment friendly infrastructure to cater to every basic requirement of the prospective investor.

Prof. Dhumal said that state was endeavouring to strengthen the basic agriculture and horticulture sectors, which were catering to the rural employment needs of the masses. He said that efforts were afoot to modernize both the sectors motivating farmers to go for diversification and higher yield so that their economy was strengthened. He said that about 90 percent of the state population was engaged and dependent upon farm activities for their livelihood. He said that Himachal Pradesh was acclaimed as 'Apple State of India ' and soon it would be known as the 'Fruit Bowl of India' He said that the progressive horticulturists and farmers were producing quality farm products which were fetching them remunerative prices in the market. He said that of late, farmers had switched over to off-season vegetables cultivation, which was supplementing their income immensely. He said that efforts were being made to promote by-products of the farm produce so that finished products marketed benefiting the growers of the state. He added that varied agro-climatic conditions were conducive to cultivate different kinds of cash crops which were being encouraged by providing technical know how to the farmers.

Chief Minister said that state was poised to emerge as the 'Knowledge Hub' of the country by setting up centres of par excellence learning in public and private participation.

He said that the state had the privilege of setting up first IT University in the country way back during his earlier term as Chief Minister of the state. He said that the National Institute of Technology at Hamirpur was one of the premier vocational training centre in the country capable to assure students good placement prospectus. He said that more private universities were coming up in the near future which would be capable to impart globally recognized education to its students. He said that education sector was also poised to emerge as industry in the state with the promotion of quality educational infrastructure, which would attract global students to come to Himachal Pradesh in their educational pursuits.

Prof. Dhumal said that the state had conducive environment for information technology industries, which were being given added priority. He said that literacy rate in the state was on the increase and there was no dearth of well-qualified and skilled manpower to meet any demand of the industrial sector for employment purposes. He said that skill upgradation was also being carried so that the unemployed youth of the state could find better employment avenues globally.

Shri Subhash Negi, Principal Secretary Industries apprised of the industrial expansion activities and informed that top industrial houses were still approaching the state government for investment keeping in view the investment friendly environment of the state.

Shri Vijay Bansal, National Coordinator of the BJP Industry Cell, Shri O.P.Gupta, Industrialist from Delhi, Shri M.M.Vyas, President, Ludhiana Industries Association, Shri Arun Bansal, Laghu Udyog Bharti, and other members of the Cell, Shri Anil Khachi, Director of Industries, Shri J.R. Katwal, Director of Information and Public Relations and other senior officers attended the meeting.