Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said that State government would strongly take up the issues relating to its legitimate rights with the Government of India and neighbouring States. He said that though Himachal Pradesh had always maintained cordial relations with its neighbouring States but there would be no compromise as far as its rights and development issues were concerned.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Disaster Data Recovery Centre of Himachal Pradesh Electricity Board Limited, Badripur constructed at a cost of Rs. 29.30 crore and new complex of H.P Chamber of Commerce and industries constructed at a cost of Rs. 70 lakh at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district. During his two days visit to Sirmaur district, Chief Minister dedicated and laid foundation stones of developmental works worth Rs.38.65 crore.
Virbhadra Singh said that various issues of Himachal Pradesh including due share in Bhakra Dam and Pong Dam projects, rehabilitation of oustees were pending since long and it was unfortunate that despite of Supreme Courts orders, the State was not getting its due share. He added that government would strongly object and protest at all levels so that the State was not deprived of its rights. He said the special industrial package to the State was withdrawn much before the stipulated time period by the government of India under the pressure of neighbouring States which affected the pace of industrialization. The State government was making every effort for the revival of industrial package to give pace to the industrial growth in the State.
Inviting the entrepreneurs for setting up their industrial units in the State, Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh had the most conducive conditions with uninterrupted power supply, peaceful atmosphere and availability of skilled manpower. He said that matter would be taken up with the Railway Ministry for construction of rail line between Paonta Sahib and Saharanpur on the analogy of Chandigarh-Kalka-Baddi rail line to give fillip to the industrial activities.
He said that a full-fledged Tool Room would be constructed at Baddi in Solan district at a cost of Rs. 1.25 crore. He added that new industrial areas were being developed in Una, Kangra and Solan district adding that land had also been made available in Paonta Sahib to set up industrial units.
Virbhadra Singh said that government was committed to provide every possible help to the entrepreneurs to set up their units in the State and 70 percent employment to Himachalis would be ensured be it managerial, skilled or unskilled jobs.
He said that the Disaster Data Recovery Centre of Paonta Sahib would serve as backbone for all IT services and applications aimed at improving the overall efficiency and productivity in HPSEB. It had been connected with Data Centre at Shimla and during natural calamity entire IT operations would be shifted to this Centre thereby ensuring uninterrupted continuity of all IT services across HPSEB offices as well as to all the consumers in the State. It would also enable HPSEB Ltd. to generate automated computerized bills for HT Consumers besides identifying high loss feeders.
Chief Minister later addressed a public meeting at Majra and directed the police authorities to take action in the case of violation of Election Code of Conduct during by-election to Sri Renuka Ji Assembly constituency within a week period. He said that action would also be taken against the errant officers who did not register the case despite serious violations.
He said that Government would allow only those industrial units which would abide by the set parameters and conditions laid by the Government. He said that industries would not be allowed to flourish at the cost of agriculture which was the main stay of the people of the State.
Chief Minister was accorded rousing welcome at various places during his visit to the district. Former MLA Kush Parmar welcomed the Chief Minister and Chairman, HIMFED Ajay Bahadur Singh presented vote of thanks. Power and Agriculture Minister Sujan Singh Pathania, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Vinay Kumar, MLA Kirnesh Jung, Deputy Chairman H.P State Planning Board G.R. Musafir, Director Industries Mohan Chauhan were also present on the occasion.
