July 23, 2009 : Centre Government will send high level delegations under the leadership of Union Commerce and Industries Secretary to Himachal Pradesh to chalk out the strategy for overall industrial development in Himachal Pradesh. This follows the meeting of State Industry Minister Shri Kishan Kapoor with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Anand Sharma at New Delhi last evening.
He told that the delegation will hold top level discussions with officials of the State Governments and other associated with industries to have wider view on various issues and find out ways and means to strengthen the industrial network in the State.
Shri Kishan Kapoor urged the Union Commerce and Industry Minister to set up units in the State based on local raw material and provide preference to fruit based and agro-based industries in the State. He urged for setting up of eco-friendly industries like IT, electronics and BPO sector which has immense potential in the State. He also suggested for setting up fruit-based wine unit in the central sector to give boost to the horticulture in the State and also ensure remunerative prices to the fruit growers.
The Minister urged Central Government to enhance the allocations under ASIDE and IIUS schemes and told that present budget allocation was not sufficient to meet the growing demands in the respective sectors.
The Minister requested the Centre to release the pending due amount on account of transport subsidy to the State. He requested the Union Government to extend the central excise duty exemptions in the state upto the year 2013 on all industrial units so as to provide industry-friendly environment and help in growth of industries in the state .
Shri Kishan Kapoor also met Union Steel Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh and requested him to set up Steel Plant in public sector in Sirmour District.