Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister said that State would explore the possibilities of creating quality infrastructure of international level to match global standards by maintaining transparency in all such endeavours and taking all related aspects into consideration. He was addressing the presentation function
organized by Sea King Infrastructure Limited (SKILD) which is proposing to develop Waknaghat Multi-Product SEZ, Tourism Project at Manali and Airport Led SEZ Project at Gagret in District Una at an estimated cost of Rs. 9,800 crore, here last evening.
Chief Minister said that need had emerged to create quality infrastructure which was best as per the international norms and could cater to the emerging requirements of the future generation and keep them abreast with the latest innovations taking place world over. He said that the State Government would examine the proposals of the SKIL, take all related aspects into consideration, seek opinion of the experts and decide only if they were in the best interest of people and ecology of the State.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government was committed to maintain transparency in all such endeavours which were directly linked with the interests of the people and the State. He thanked the members of opposition in the Assembly who witnessed the presentation and interacted with the executors and got their doubts cleared. He said that since the three above proposed projects were of immense value, transparency had to be maintained while exploring possibilities whether the State was prepared to allow such developments. He assured the people that transparency would be maintained in all activities of the State Government where common man had right to express his concern.
Prof. Dhumal said nature has blessed the State with immense natural wealth which, if harnessed with ecological safeguards, could change the economy of the State and give boost to tourism activities which would generate employment, self employment avenues and trade activities. He said that with the creation of quality infrastructure, facilities would increase and attract the high spending tourists. The State had already developed infrastructure to meet the requirements of middle and low, economy class visitors, he added. He said that pollution and anti-environment activity would not be permitted.
Chief Minister said that the SKIL had already executed a number of projects valued at about Rs. 24,000 crores which included ports, railway lines SEZs and shipyards. He thanked the organization for taking interest in making investments in the State and hoped that the presentation, debates and
discussions during the presentation would go a long way in helping the State Government take an appropriate decision in the best interest of the State. He said that if proposals were materialized, best relief and rehabilitation package and regular income generating activities would be ensured. He assured the people that appropriate decision would be taken only if affected party was fully satisfied with the process.
Dr. Rajeev Bindal, Health Minister, Shri Mohender Singh, Shri Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, Shri Rajesh Dharmani, Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, Members of the State Legislative Assembly, Shri Maheshwar Singh, former MP and representatives of various organizations raised a number of queries related to the proposals which were replied by Shri J.P Rai, Group CEO, SKIL. Detailed discussions took place during the interactive session on each proposal separately as the Members wanted protection of interests of the State and people while permitting the implementation of such proposals.
Shri Peter Sigenthaler , MD of Baskr and Hoffman, Switzerland spoke about the feasibility and possibilities of the ambitious projects.Shri Nikhil Gandhi, Group Chairman, SKIL Infrastructure Ltd. welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed out the activities, aims and objectives of the organization.
Shri J.P. Rai, Group CEO, SKIL also spoke.Speaker, Deputy Speaker, H.P. Vidhan Sabha, All the Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, former MP, Additional Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Heads of the Departments and other Senior Officers attended the presentation function. Shri Joseph Eisle, Chief Advisor, SKIL and other dignitaries of various multinational companies were also present.