193 projects proposal approved through Single Window portal: Himachal Pradesh CM

Shimla: Launches online module for incentives, concessions and facilities under H.P. Industrial Investment Policy, 2019 to facilitate entrepreneurs
The State level Single Window Monitoring and Clearance Authority have approved 193 project proposals through Single Window portal with an investment of Rs. 6100 crore. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the review meeting of Industries Department here today.

Chief Minister said that the State had also organized Global Investors’ Meet on 7th and 8th November, 2019 at Dharamshala to attract the investors’ to invest in the State. He said that 703 MoUs worth Rs. 96721 crore signed till this Investors Meet. He said that 240 MoUs worth investment of Rs. 13656 crore were grounded within about two months of the Meet.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the State Government has simplified the various procedures under ‘Ease of Doing Business’. He said that H.P. Industrial Investment Policy-2019 had been implemented for time bound clearance and disbursement of fiscal initiatives. He said that Government Land Bank had been created under 600 which hectares of land have already been made available and 1300 hectares were under the process of transfer.

Chief Minister directed the officers to ensure regular interaction with investors and MoUs signatories so that projects slated to be executed could be started within the time period. He said that regular outreach programs through Webinars must be held with potential investors and industry specific Associations. He also advised the officers to prepare plan for attracting investment in key sectors such as electrical vehicles, electrical and electronics, precision tools, IT hardware etc.

Jai Ram Thakur said that even in the COVID-19 pandemic the pharma industry in the State remained functional and the drugs manufactured in pharma units of the State were even supplied to other countries. He said that efforts should be made to convert this crisis into opportunity since most of the States were badly affected by COVID-19, the situation in Himachal Pradesh was far better.

Chief Minister said that special thrust must be made on ensuring ‘Ease of Doing Business. He said that all the procedures, rules and Acts have been simplified and permission under Section 118 have been simplified and made online. He said that as many as 37 services of 11 departments related to industrialists have been made online, which has resulted in decreasing footfalls in the offices besides facilitating the entrepreneurs.

Jai Ram Thakur said that online self certification under the MSME (Facilitation and Operation), 2019 had been made operational which has resulted in time bound implementation of the projects. He said that the State Government has effectively taken up the matter of approving a Bulk Drug Park for the State for which two sites have been identified. He said that General Engineering Cluster has been approved at Tahliwal in Una district which would have facility of Mini Tool Room with modern machinery, testing lab and training centre.

Chief Minister said that under the PM Kisan Sampada Yojna 16 cases for integrated cold chain and value addition infrastructure have been approved with an investment of Rs. 311.75 crore. He said that in addition to this 20 cases for creation and expansion of food processing and preservation capacity worth Rs. 147.42 crore have also been approved.

Jai Ram Thakur said that under Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme loans upto 25 lakh were being provided through banks under which subsidy upto 35 percent of the project cost was being provided. He said that during the last financial year, against the target of 1181 projects a total of 1214 beneficiaries were financed to promote self employment amongst the youth through non farm sector’s economic activities.

Chief Minister said that under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, credit support of Rs. 1200 crore have been disbursed to MSMEs. He said that under the Mukhya Mantri Swavlamban Yojna, 728 units had been established in the State with an investment of Rs. 140 crore. He expressed concern over the slow progress under the scheme. He said that a separate team of officers must be designated to ensure effective follow up under this scheme so that maximum youth could be benefitted from it. He said that under the Start up Himachal Scheme 92 incubatees were benefitted and 29 start ups have been commercialized.

Jai Ram Thakur felt the need for greater empowerment of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Development Authority to ensure better services to the industrialists in this biggest industrial hub of the State. He said that a Committee should be constituted under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to give suggestions to make this Authority more effective and viable.

Chief Minister also launched online module for incentives, concessions and facilities under the H.P. Industrial Investment Policy, 2019 to facilitate the entrepreneurs. He said that with this, the entrepreneurs would be able to draw the benefits of various schemes by a single application form.

Industries Minister Bikram Singh Thakur said that we should be focused and specific so that desired results could be achieved. He also felt the need for evolving mechanism to check prices of cement in the State.

Additional Chief Secretary Industries Ram Subhag Singh welcomed the Chief Minister and detailed the various activities of the department.

Director of Industries Hansraj Sharma made detailed presentation on various initiatives and achievements of the department.

Chief Secretary Anil Khachi, Principal Secretary Finance Prabodh Saxena, Secretary Administrative Reforms Dr. Sandeep Bhatnagar, Managing Director SIDC S.S. Guleria, Chief Executive Officer, BBNDA Vinod Kumar, Special Secretary Industries Abid Hussain Sadiq and other officers were present on the occasion among others.