Himachal Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri has said for promoting ease of doing business, all the concerned departments have already taken various initiatives and a common application form to give clearances for setting up of new units, whichhas been designed and would be operationalised soon.
Mukesh Agnihotri while presiding over the workshop on ease of doing business organised by Confederation of Indian Industries said the State has become the favourite destination for investment, which was evident from various past surveys conducted by agencies of repute.
Also, he said under single window system, approval of projects was being given in 45 days instead of 90 days and to attend the queries of entrepreneurs, a 'Central Helpline Number would start functioning soon. He said for the convenience of investors, the State Government was going to put all its existing Industrial Areas under Geographical Information System enabling them to finalize the location and land requirements.
The Industries Minister said ease of doing business was the prerequisite in the success of 'Make in India' mission and the State Government has already initiated the process to facilitate investor, well before the announcement of this campaign.
Facilitating ease of setting up an enterprise and give boost to industrialization in state has always been in the priority list of the State Government, he added.
Agnihotri said that creation of 'H.P Investment promotion Cell', setting up of New 'State of Art' Industrial Areas at Pandoga, Kandrori and Dabhota, simplified procedure for purchase of land for industrial units under Section-118 of H.P Tenancy and land Reforms Act and reduced rates of electricity duty, reduced stamp duty, relaxed Floor Area Ratio norms for Industries, were few incentives taken by the State Government for the convenience of the investors.
The Industries Minister said that with logistic support and association of CII, a high powered team headed by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had organized Investor meets and interaction with investors at Mumbai, Bangaluru, Ahemdabad and New Delhi. These investor meets were highly successful and generated a lot of interest in potential investment in the State, especially in projects related to Industry, Education, Agro based industry, Power and Tourism sectors, he said.
Agnihotri said that since these meets, the state has received 41 new project proposals involving investment of Rs 2724.33 crore, which have been cleared and involve employment generation of about 5834 persons. These meets were also immensely successful in retaining the confidence of existing entrepreneurs as well, as indicated by the fact that after these meets, 60 project proposals for expansion of these existing projects were received involving investment of Rs 1355.57 crore and employment generation for 5110 persons, he added.
