Industrial package continues: Anand Sharma

HimVani

Shimla: Union commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma today announced to continue the industrial package till 2013 except removing concession of excise duty on industrial production.

While interacting media persons here, Sharma said that the Center did not withdrawn the industrial package from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand as alleged by the respective state governments and has only withdrawn concession on excise duty after re-imposing it. He said that Punjab and Gujarat has opposed the industrial package and Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal should talk with them before accusing the Center of discrimination.

He said the state government will continue to receive benefits of industrial and transport subsidy. He said the government is also giving Rs 300 crore to the state government on account of transport subsidy claimed by industries under the package. He said that the state government has also removed concession of excise duty from all the special category states including Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and there is no question of discrimination against the state.

The Union minister said that various central delegations visited the state during the last one year to carry out detailed study about the possible expansion of environment-friendly industry in Himachal Pradesh.

He said that after going through survey reports, it has been decided to assist the ailing tea industry in Himachal Pradesh by giving impetuous to increase its export. He said that the Union government has decided to rehabilitate Kangra tea in Palampur in 10,000 hectare area by making it a branded company. The minister said that beside rehabilitation of Kangra tea, the government would promote organic tea farming in the area. He said that a State Tea Board would be set up at Palampur.

He also a spice park would be set up in the Naduan area of Hamirpur district under ‘ASIDE scheme’ by allocating Rs 27 crore and its two regional centres would be developed at Shimla and Sirmour districts. He said that five Integrated Pack Houses would be developed at Nadaun, Gumma, Jarol Ticker, Recog-Peo, Oddi and Patlikhul.

Sh. Anand Sharma, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry

On Friday Sharma had given enough indications of the industrial package being extended stating that the objections of Punjab and Haryana were unjustified. Interestingly, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal and other top BJP leaders met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi to demand extension of the project.

Smt. Asha Swarup, Cabinet Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Government