The Hindu : New Delhi News : Dhumal invites private sector, NRIs to Himachal

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Wednesday, Feb 13, 2008
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Dhumal invites private sector, NRIs to Himachal

Sujay Mehdudia

A new and vibrant State is my vision, says the CM

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal

NEW DELHI: Stating that a “new and vibrant” Himachal Pradesh was his vision, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal on Tuesday declared that his government was going to throw open health, education, power and tourism sectors for investment by the private sector and the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).

Asserting that all bureaucratic hurdles in various procedures of investment and land acquisition would be removed and bottlenecks cleared to make the entire investment route smooth and investor-friendly, Mr. Dhumal said the government would provide all assistance to facilitate such investments and urged the private sector to come and invest in the hill State and be partners in its future progress and growth.

Mr. Dhumal, in Delhi to attend a meeting of the Planning Commission on Wednesday, blamed the previous Congress government in Himachal Pradesh for lack of vision to take the State forward. “We have to look forward now and invite the private sector to take up health-related projects including hospital networks to improve the quality of health service not only in urban but also rural areas of the State. Tourism projects would also be re-oriented and new destinations would be promoted under these new initiatives,” he added.

Asserting that Information Technology had a big role to play in the development and progress of the State, Mr. Dhumal said his government would soon unfold new initiatives in the health, tourism and IT sectors encouraging private entrepreneurs to tap the huge potential of the State.

“There is a vast scope for exploring the herbal and medicinal mine that is present in the various parts of the State. We could encourage Special Economic Zones based on bio-technology and development of medicinal hubs,” he remarked.

Emphasising that education had a vital role to play, Mr. Dhumal said his government would be happy to take along the private investors and NRIs in developing the educational infrastructure and professional colleges in Himachal. “We are also looking at the possibility of involving the private sector in development of infrastructure including roads, bridges, special traffic corridors and putting in place a mass public transport system to develop Himachal into a model State,” he added.

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