Ski village plan hits another slide

With Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal promising to review all controversial decisions of the previous Government, a question mark now hangs over the ambitious Himalayan Ski Village project planned by Alfred Ford.

“We want investment, big investment, including FDIs, but not at the cost of the state’s interests, environment and national security,” Dhumal said, replying to questions on the ski village on Tuesday. He also asked how a promoter could come to the Government straight “with a pre-conceived mind and project proposal for a Himalayan Ski Village” and that the Government give him sanctions even before inviting bids or getting clearances from the ministries of Defence, Environment and Forests. Dhumal raised questions about the company’s claims of creating massive job opportunities. “How can we believe this when the same company terminated services of 3,000 employees in the US?” he asked.