Shimla April 18, 2008:Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister today announced that State will provide around 2000 MW electricity to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab etc to meet the growing need of energy in the states of northern region during summer season.While speaking in the Conference of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized on 'Destination Himachal- New Investment Opportunities' at New Delhi today, Chief Minister said that State will generate around 12000 MW hydroelectric energy by the year 2012 He said that State has recently invited bids for Rs. 3000 crore value 587.50 MW capacity 11 hydro electric projects and invited the top industrial houses to set up hydro electric projects in the State .He announced that industrialists having their units from last 15 years in the State will be honoured with bonafide Himachali certificate.
Prof. Dhumal announced that Government will set up Hydel Power Training Institute on the pattern of USA and invited partnership of top industrial houses in setting up the proposed training institute to impart training to unemployed youth for executing hydro electric projects through co-operative societies in the State.
Chief Minister announced that night landing facilities at Kangra, Kullu and Shimla airports will be installed during current financial year and also added that runways of Shimla and Kullu airports will be extended to meet the demands of landing of bigger aeroplanes in the State and new airlines will start their services to the important tourist destinations of the State to provide air connectivity at affordable rates to the tourists He said that Government has decided to invite competitive bids for execution of 5 MW capacity hydro electric projects as against previous policy of 100 MW capacity to bring total transparency in awarding hydro projects.
Chief Minister said that previous Congress government during last five years in the State had failed to take full advantage of Central Industrial Package despite attractive fiscal and financial incentives announced by N.D.A. Government led by former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee in the Centre.
Prof. Dhumal said that B.J.P. Government during its earlier regime in 1998-2003 had set up planned industrial estates with all basic facilities and added that industrial development had been quite unplanned during last 5 years in the State. He said that although N.D.A. Government had announced excise duty exemption till 2013 but the present U.P.A. Government reduced it till 2007 and extended it till March 2010 on persistent demand of B.J.P. He said that B.J.P. Government in the State has vigorously pursued the extension of industrial package till year 2013 as was originally envisaged by N.D.A. Government.
Chief Minister said that State Government proposes to start training institute for hospitality sector to train manpower in various tourism related activities. He said that State Government would undertake massive up-gradation of technical training institutions with a cost of around Rs. 22 crores in State to improve skill levels of youth to meet the requirement of employment market and invited industrial houses to adopt the technical institutions in the State and train the manpower according to the industry demand. He said that Government has decided to issue identity cards to all workers/employees of Government and private sector to protect the interests of workers. He said that working hours for export-oriented units have been relaxed and added that now the workers can be engaged on over time up to 75 hours in quarter. He said that State Government has permitted women workers to work in two shifts in factories and added that women workers have been permitted to work in all three shifts in B.P.O, Software and IT related services.
Prof. Dhumal asked the industrialists to conduct proper human resources planning and provide adequate training to local youth before putting them on job. He said that land banks would be set up for development of new industrial areas and estates in the State.
Prof. Dhumal said that Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area will be provided alternative road connectivity from Ambala-Mohali express way and added that Central Government had agreed to conduct survey to construct 4 lane Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh road for obtaining approval of National Highway Authority of India.