Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said he had a vision of making Himachal Pradesh a strong and vibrant State where every person was prosperous and happy.
Addressing a public meeting at Paonta Sahib in Sirmour district, he said the present State Government during the present tenure of over 100 days had initiated several schemes for all-round development of the State.
Thakur said that the law and order situation during the tenure of the previous Government in the state had deteriorated and out of control. The ‘Gudiya' and ‘Hoshiyar Singh’ episodes had tarnished the image of the State. "The previous Government was being run by tired and retired people. The first and foremost task before the present Government was to ensure effective law and order in the State so that everyone could live with peace," he added.
The Chief Minster said that he was in the House for the last over 20 years and had seen 20 budgets presented in the house. The 21st budget was presented by him and it was appreciated by one and all. He said that the Government set a target for 100 days and has achieved almost all the targets fixed in it.
He said over 1.30 lakh old people were benefited due to lowering of age for getting old pension without income limit from 80 to 70 years.
EFFORTS ON TO ATTRACT INVESTORS
Earlier, addressing industrialists of Kala Amb industrial area at Nahan on Thursday evening, the chief minister said the state government is committed to provide best environment for the investors to invest in Himachal Pradesh to make it an industrial hub of the country.
He said the state government has limited land for industrialization due to topographical constrains but still it has emerged as a favourite destination for the investors. Thakur said expanding and strengthening connectivity was the main thrust of the state government.
The CM said electricity duty for small industrial units has been reduced from existing 4 per cent to 2 per cent and for medium units from existing 10 per cent to 7 percent. The lease period for industrial plots has also been increased from 30 years to 90 years. All the new small and medium units have been exempted for electricity duty for five years, he added.
He said that the Single Window Clearance and Monitoring Authority has approved setting up of 17 industrial units with an investment of Rs 456.43 crore, which would provide employment to over 1650 people.