80% job will be ensured to Himachalis in projects: CM

Himachal Government would ensure at least 80 percent employment opportunities in all the upcoming power, Industries and Tourism Projects in the State to the Himachali youth, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said on Friday.

Presiding over the meeting regarding investment targets in tourism, MPP and Power and Industries here, he  said the State has immense power potential and if fully exploited it has capacity to transform the economy of the State.

He said five hydro power projects with a total capacity of 594 MW would be completed within next one year on which work was on war footing, whereas eleven other projects with total capacity of 307 MW would also be completed within years, which were awarded during the last six months. 

Thakur said the government was also laying stress on optimum exploitation of non conventional energy, adding that HIMURJA would complete construction of 19 mini and small projects with total capacity of 34.20 MW capacity during the next one year.

Reviewing the investment targets achieved in industries department, Chief Minister said that pollution free environment, industrial peace, skilled manpower and uninterrupted power supply makes Himachal Pradesh a favoured destination for investors.

"To attract industrial investment in the State, electricity duty on existing industries has been reduced from 4 percent to 2 percent in small scale industries and from 10 percent to 7 percent in case of medium industries," he said.

It was informed in the meeting that target has been fixed to complete 27 industrial units with an investment of Rs 895.70 crore which would provide employment to about 2600 people. In addition, target has been fixed to allot 350 industrial plots to the entrepreneurs in the State during the next one year and attract an investment of Rs 5000 crore and employment potential of 8000 people.

Thakur said several man made and natural water bodies of the State could be developed as a major tourist attraction. He said possibilities should be explored to start water sports such as boating and shikaras in Chamera water reservoir. Similarly, Pong Dam could prove a major attraction not only for birds lovers but also the reservoir could be developed a favourite destination for water sports enthusiasts, he added.

He said that Pandoh Dam in Mandi district could also be developed from tourism point of view. Likewise, efforts would be made to develop other reservoirs such as Larji and Bhakra dam from tourism point of view, he added.

The Chief Minister said that there was immense potential of tourism in form of eco-tourism and adventure tourism.

He said that rope ways were another sector which could be an added attraction for the tourists. He said that the Government would special stress on lesser known and unexplored tourist destinations.

It was informed in the meeting that four rope ways would be allocated to the potential entrepreneurs in the State during the next one year, besides work would be completed on Dharmashala-Meclodgang rope within a year.