At least 80 percent of Himachali youth to get employment in upcoming power, industries and tourism Projects

NewsBharati    21-Jul-2018
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Shimla, July 21: At least 80 percent of Himachali youth to get employment opportunities in all the upcoming power, Industries and Tourism Projects in the State. This was said by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday.

 

While presiding over the meeting regarding investment targets in tourism, MPP and Power and Industries, CM Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government would ensure at least 80 percent employment opportunities to the Himachali youth through upcoming projects.

CM Jai Ram Thakur further stated that the State has immense power potential and if fully exploited it has the capacity to transform the economy of the State. He said that the departments should work with specific targets to be achieved in a stipulated period.

“Five hydropower projects with a total capacity of 594 MW would be completed within next one year on which work was on a 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,” he added.

Giving further details, the Chief Minister said that the Government was also laying stress on the optimum exploitation of non-conventional energy. He said that HIMURJA would complete construction of 19 mini and small projects with total capacity of 34.20 MW capacity during the next one year.

While reviewing the investment targets achieved in the industries department, CM said that pollution-free environment, industrial peace, skilled manpower and uninterrupted power supply make Himachal Pradesh a favoured destination for investors.

He said that in order 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 also noted that the 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, a 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.

Jai Ram Thakur said several man-made and natural water bodies of the State could be developed as a major tourist attraction. He said that 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 a tourism point of view. Likewise, efforts would be made to develop other reservoirs such as Larji and Bhakra dam from a tourism point of view, he concluded.