Incentives to only those units with head offices in HP, says Dhumal

Dhumal said that industrial growth of Himachal Pradesh had shown that if industrial units have their head offices outside the state, it led to huge losses to the state exchequer due to the evasion of taxes by the units. Also, if the head offices of the units were set up in the state, it would create employment avenues, he added. “The tendency had unfortunately remained unchecked by the previous Congress government,” Dhumal said.

Assuring industrialists of providing basic infrastructure, the Chief Minister warned them of strict action if they did not take measures to safeguard the environment. He also directed officials of the State Pollution Board to do their job on priority basis.

Dhumal said the government would ensure that industrial units would have treatment plants to protect the environment in the state. The government was committed to safeguarding interests of all sections of the society and efforts were being made to accelerate the pace of development in Himachal, he added.

Dhumal thanked Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for understanding problems of the people of Himachal and sanctioning a special grant of Rs 300 crore to the state to meet its developmental requirements. State Public Works Department Minister Mohender Singh, while speaking on the occasion, said that the BJP government had taken up repairs and mettling of roads in the state on priority basis. He accused the previous Congress government of neglecting this area.

Hari Narayan Saini, MLA, from Nalagarh constituency, and Lajja Ram, MLA, Doon constituency, also spoke on the occasion.